Reflector law: Meeting with Centre likely today

Ludhiana: In what comes as a glimmer of hope for the bicycle industry on the ongoing issue of reflector law, there is the probability of another meeting of businessmen with the ministry of industry and commerce on Tuesday. However, no one, including president of United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association (UCPMA) D S Chawla or anyone from the Centre has made it clear whether there is a meeting scheduled for Tuesday or not.
Charanjit Singh Vishivkarma, former president, United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association (UCPMA), said, “Ever since the new law of using only Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) reflectors on bicycles came into effect from January 1, 2023, the business of the small industry has been jeopardised. It has been more than five days since the first meeting with the Centre was held, which was no result came out. We were told that the second meeting of the centre with businessmen will take place soon but till now there is no official word about it.”
He also expressed concern about the plight of the industry and the repercussions of the move.
“With every day, losses of the businessmen are mounting because bicycles production and supply has been halted since the law came into effect. Till today, more than 90% of the small industry has been unable to fulfil the conditions of compliance with the law,” he said.
He warned that an agitation would be inevitable in the absence of a favourable outcome.
Vishivkarma also added, “In case Centre does not take a call on this issue by tomorrow, we will be forced to resort to agitation. Already, we have fixed a meeting of our group tomorrow in which next course of action will be decided.” Meanwhile president of UCPMA DS Chawla could not be contacted for his take on the issue.