UCPMA chief to sit on hunger strike

Ludhiana: Small scale bicycle manufacturers & traders have opened a front against the central government over the issue of mandatory fixing of reflectors on bicycles from January 1.
D S Chawla, president of United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association (UCPMA), has decided to sit on a hunger strike from Monday against the new regulation. Besides an emergency meeting of UCPMA has also been called on Monday to decide the next course of action.
Businessmen have rejected the new regulation, terming the same as totally unjustified.
Chawla said, “Despite our repeated requests to the Centre to defer the new law of mandatory fixing reflectors on bicycles, nothing has been done so far. This rule is very dangerous for the micro and small scale bicycle manufacturers and traders as it has several draconian provisions like imprisonment and penalty of up to Rs 2 lakh. What is even more shocking that only manufacturer or person at first point of sale will be held liable in case reflector is not found affixed on the bicycle.”
Chawla said, “Besides, bicycle manufacturers and traders are being asked to shell out Rs 40,000 for certificate of conformity (COC) which is also unjustified. So, as a mark of protest against the government, I will sit on a hunger strike outside the office of UCPMA from tomorrow. An emergency meeting of the UCPMA office-bearers and members has also been called for tomorrow to take the next course of action.”