| Subject: |
Bangle town takes a shine to ‘Made in China’ glass |
|
Firozabad: Colorful glass bangles from Firozabad have long caught the fancy of women old and young, while chandeliers manufactured here have adorned the ceiling of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, but the bangle town's once-flourishing glass industry today faces a threat from cheaper Chinese items.
High influx of Chinese glass products into the market is posing a serious threat to the century-old Firozabad glass industry, which is India's biggest glass cluster.
It is estimated that Chinese glass products today occupy 80% of the local market.
Colorful bangles, laboratory apparatus and various other glass products have been manufactured for over a century in this small industrial town, but manufacturers from the industry are worried over the entry of Chinese products in the market.
The century-old glass business in Firozabad has seen many ups and downs, but this time the threat may be too huge to thwart.
In 1996, the glass industry turned from coal to natural gas, a key input in the manufacturing of glass. This not only improved the quality of glass but also kept pollution caused by the industry in check.
Today, there are about 200 factories operating on natural gas, which employ 6 lakh workers.
With time the bangle industry has seen innovation, modernization and expansion. But the local market is now flooded with Chinese glass products which have caught the attention of buyers due to their low prices and better quality.
Amit Gupta of Imperial Glass emporium said, "Due to the ignorance of the government chandelier industry is nearing its end. We had a lot of expectations from the new government but conditions are getting worse day by day."
Hemant Agarwal of Laser International group added, "Earlier we used to have bumper sale but this year it's not even 25% which is due to cheap Chinese products. Import of glass products is increasing, state and central government is not sincere about glass industry."
"Chinese items are spreading into the market, and tired with government policies several domestic companies are selling Chinese products under their brand labels.
"Government must increase import duty on Chinese glass items. Shortcomings in domestic business policies must be changed in the country. Tax on glass production in Gujarat is 5% and in Uttar Pradesh it is 14%," Agarwal said.
Chinese products are also taking over the bulb market, leaving no place for locally made bulbs.
Firozabad's famed glass bangles are also under threat from the intrusion of Chinese bangles in the market.
Ashwani Kumar, a local bangle supplier said, "High inflation, changing fashion trends and entry of Chinese glass bangles is the starting of bad days for local bangle industry, which is the identity of Firozabad."
"Dying glass industry will directly impact the life of people in Firozabad," Kumar said.
Noted Industrialist and former head of The All India Glass Manufacturers' Federation, 94-year-old Balkrishna Gupta said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented sweet dreams, local businessmen had a lot of expectations but dreams are still dreams. To face these challenges the glass industry has to come on a single platform and work out a solution themselves."
Modi while addressing an election rally at Firozabad during his Lok Sabha election campaign had discussed problems faced by the bangle industry and promised a solution if BJP came to power at the Centre.
Senior Samajwadi Party Leader, Professor Ramgopal also promised relaxation for the glass industry. Ramgopal's son Akshay Yadav was elected a Member of Parliament from Firozabad.
But neither state nor central government has taken any steps to help the local glass industry overcome challenges faced by it.
Secretary of Glass decoration Association, Shankar Gupta said, "Chinese electric rods, saddlers, LED and other items are reaching local market in large numbers; they are cheap and attractive in comparison to local products."
"People who used to give employment to thousands of people in manufacturing are working as suppliers. In Firozabad itself Chinese items worth Rs 8-10 crore are sold easily. Suppliers from Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai also bring in a lot of Chinese products," he said.
Glass exporter, Umashankar Gupta said, "Chinese products worth Rs 10 crore come into Firozabad. In Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata the figure is in billions annually."
Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
|