The two-month old instructions issued by the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) are preventing industrialists in Panipat from completing their export orders. As per Lalit Goyal, President, Panipat Exporters Association, this is causing loss of Rs 100 crore for the industry every week. Industries in the city should be allowed to run in full swing for all seven days of the week, he demanded.

A manufacturing hub of textile products, Panipat has an annual turnover of Rs15,000 crore in exports and over Rs35,000 crore in the domestic market. But, industries here have to close for two days in a week. The CAQM had banned the operation of DG sets and also ordered industries to function for eight hours a day in October last year. Various industry associations protested against these orders after which the CAQM allowed to run industries full swing for five days a week.

Lalit Goyal, President, Panipat Exporters’ Association, said, this order will lead to a huge financial loss and damage our goodwill in the industry. He demanded a removal of this ban on industries’ operations. Vibhu Paliwal, General Secretary, added, the ban prevents exporters from taking on the Chinese business due to the ongoing pandemic.

S Narayanan, Member Secretary, Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), informed, the representation of the Panipat Exporters’ Association has been sent to the CAQM along with the board’s recommendations. CAQM will make the final decision on the matter, he added