The ongoing Gurjar agitation in Rajasthan and the farmers’ agitation in Punjab and Haryana has cast a dark shadow on the plans of Surat textile traders as buyers are cancelling orders and transporters are refusing to deliver goods. As per reports, northern states including Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan account for nearly 45 per cent of the total turnover of the textile fabrics supplied from Surat. In the last four days, half a dozen-odd buyers in Punjab and Haryana have cancelled orders to the tune of Rs 10 lakh due to the farmers’ agitation.

Narendra Saboo, President, Surat Mercantile Association says, the agitation has destroyed the city’s textile trade. Only few days are left for the Diwali festival and the supply of goods from Surat has almost stopped. Champalal Bothra, Secretary, Federation of Surat Textile Traders’ Association (FOSTTA) informed, transporters in Surat have completely stopped taking the delivery orders to the northern states due to the ongoing agitations, roadblocks and protests.