The members of Offset Printers’ Association (OPA) took-out a procession on 1st May, 2016 to protest against the increase in prices of kraft paper and duplex board.
According to Kushl Kumar Jain, Sr. Vice President of the Association, “There has been a constant increase in the prices of duplex board and kraft paper during the past 2/3 months.”
The prices have increased from 2 to 3 rupees per kg in the past couple of months. The printers are already bearing the brunt of recent increase in prices of other raw materials, petroleum products and costs of labour. “It is practically impossible to withstand the increasing costs. Therefore we have decided to increase our rates by 15 per cent w.e.f. 1st of May,” he states.
Mr. Amarjit Singh Mancoo, Vice President OPA said, “The price increase by the paper mills/dealers have been bringing huge loss for printers as they are bound to supply as per earlier committed prices. Since raw material is now available at higher price, selling at earlier committed prices is making each passing day harder for printers.”
Mr. Manoj Verma, Vice President said “The prices of the paper and paper board are increased by the paper mills without any prior information. Since the orders for corrugated and duplex boxes are booked 3 to 4 months in advance, the increase in price have put the printers in awkward position. The situation has deteriorated in the last three months,” adds Vice President Manoj Verma.
The members closed their shutters for two days on 4th and 5th May and say that they may go on an indefinite strike if their demands are not met.
Non availability of skilled work force, market slump, tax-free zones in neighbouring states and import of Chinese goods are further adding to the woes of the Printing and Packaging industry of the region.
In the general body meeting of the association, it was noted that paper being an essential commodity, the government should come to the rescue of the industry and check any undue increase in prices of paper and paperboard.
The association has at least 3 month prior intimation before any price increase, abolishing of import duty on paper and proper labelling of paper stock and subsidy on raw material as their key demands.