The once flourishing granite industry in Tadipatri is now in doldrums. Raw material cost inflation, increased power tariff, a dip in sales and exports and the Covid-19 challenges have resulted in the industry going down the drain and laying off hundreds of workers.
The Covid-19 situation further aggravated the fragile economic situation. The granite industry at one time provided jobs to hundreds of youth but adverse conditions in the industry played a role in the decline of the industry.
Many stakeholders of the industry bemoaned that they are compelled to borrow just to pay their power bills. Actually, the fall of construction sector due to Covid as well as raising inupt costs is one reason for many units collapsing under the weight of financial pressures.
Recently, power connections to many units were disconnected due to their failure to pay bills for many months.
There are a total of 1,188 granite units in Tadipatri, out of which black granite units are 370.
The granite industry stakeholders are appealing to the Chief Minister to intervene and save their units from total closure by extending 50 per cent power subsidy.
Source: www.thehansindia.com
