Printing industry protest Centre order banning diaries, calendars

Ludhiana: Businessmen who are into the printing industry are up in arms against the central government’s decision to shun the practice of getting printed diaries, calenders, festival greeting cards and instead do it digitally. According to businessmen, the move will destroy the already ailing industry as it will finish business opportunity worth crores.
Speaking on the issue, Kamal Chopra of the Offset Printers Association (OPA), said, “We have taken serious note on the circular issued by the joint secretary, government of India, in which it has been decided that there will be no further activities related to printing of diaries, calenders, festival greetings cards, etc. The 2,50,000 printers of the country are already facing the crunch due to lockdown and many printers who were not able to afford their livelihood are already facing closures. The printers always look forward to business related to new year and many are dependent only on such work.”
He added, “Printers are facing huge problems, due to this forced lockdown. One of their major source of income comes from the educational institutions, which are not allowed to function due to pandemic. Depending on the government work the printers were eagerly waiting for the orders of calendars and dairies, which is an annual feature and another source of income for the 85%t micro and small printers of the country. With these orders, the hope of survival for this key industry is dismal. We request the government to withdraw these orders with immediate effect for the relief of small and micro entrepreneurs who are already suffering very badly.”
According to Sartaj Dhillon, another businessman into the business of printing and packaging, “This government order is huge setback to the printing and packaging industry as very large number of businessmen from our sector were dependant on this business. But now with ban on the printing of diaries, calenders, greeting cards in the central government departments we are going to lose business opportunity worth several crores. This will not only impact us but thousands of small workers and their families associated with us. Therefore, it is our humble request to the government to withdraw this order at the earliest.”