Prayagraj,

April 15 (HS): Senior Congress leader and member party’s political affairs

committee claimed on Wednesday that Noida is fallout of bad India-US trade deal.

“Cotton manufacturers and textile sector is amomg the worst hit with 18 pc

tariff, which is leading to massive lay offs and in some cases, closure of

operations,” he said while holding presser on Wednesday. Shekhar Bahuguna said

that the Modi administration had promised the US that it would acquire products

worth Rs 9.5 lakh crore from it. He stated that if American goods reach India

like a tsunami, our country's small and medium-sized companies will collapse.

“The

US trade agreement will result in the closure of small, mid-size, and

intermediate-sized industries, as well as employment losses in India. Serious

industrial unrest in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, has resulted in violent protests,

worker riots, and massive property destruction, fueled by pay dissatisfaction

and larger economic pressures from new India-US trade tariffs. US tariffs on

Indian commodities (particularly textiles, leather, and chemicals) have raised

serious worries, with projections indicating a potential $5 billion loss in

Indian exports in the following year,” he opined.

“Workers

and union officials are concerned that the trade deal's surge of US products

and competitive pressures would jeopardize local jobs and small businesses.

Farmer organizations and political parties have labelled the pact as a

capitulation to US transnational businesses, claiming it jeopardizes India's

agricultural industry. The textile sector, a key employer in Noida, has been

greatly impacted by competitive pressures and foreign competition, adding to

the overall labor discontent. The situation remains turbulent, with both

workers and farmers expressing anxiety about the trade deal's long-term impact

on their livelihood .These

protests are primarily motivated by increased living expenses caused by global

fuel interruptions related to the continuing US-Iran war, which is harming

larger economic relations, including negotiations on an India-US trade

agreement,” he added. He accused the government of deflecting from economic

issues by framing the protests as conspiracies.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi