SME Times News Bureau | 26 Mar, 2013
Indian markets flooded with Chinese 'pichkaris'
(water guns), balloons and colours this Holi, have taken a toll on over 1,000 Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) over the past two years and rendered about 10 lakh people jobless, an Assocham survey said Monday.
"Nearly 1,000 SME units have
shut down in the last two to three years owing to the rise in imports
from China. Manufacturers were forced to stop operations mainly in
Allahabad, Brij Mandal (Agra, Hathras, Mathura and Vrindavan), Delhi,
Kanpur, Lucknow and Patna," revealed the Associated
Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) survey Monday.
"A sharp decline in SME units is
creating job losses in the sector affecting over 8-10 lakh people. Even
the owners of SMEs are indebted to bankers and moneylenders due to
continued loss of business and capital," Assocham Secretary General, D.S. Rawat said.
The findings revealed that an array of coloured powder
and squirt guns imported from China has triggered attrition in SMEs
operating in towns and cities in northern India.
Releasing the survey
analysis, Rawat said the government
should impose import restrictions on water toys, and other items that
can be easily manufactured in India.
According to several shopkeepers and manufacturers, the invasion by Chinese products has been threatening their daily earnings.
"For
the past five years, the business of local sprinklers is decreasing due
to stiff competition from Chinese sprinklers. We are facing huge losses
as from small plastic sprinklers to colourful perfumed sprays, imported
from China, are available in the market," said a manufacturer and
trader of sprinklers in Delhi.
However, the Assocham survey
revealed that Indian manufacturers were unable to keep pace with
innovative Chinese products. For instance, Chinese revolving water guns,
bazookas, spray cans and gun splashes have a huge demand in the market.
"Chinese
sprinklers are available in different price bands from Rs.10 to
Rs.1,000. Although traditional plastic sprinklers from Indian
manufacturers are selling in the price range of Rs.5 to Rs.50, people
prefer to buy Chinese items as they are innovative," the survey said.
"They
come in various shapes and sizes, from the replica of a soft drink to
funny goggles, elephant, cartoon characters, flute, watch, mobile phone
which spray colours mainly attract children," the survey added.
The
Holi accessory manufacturing industry that produces water guns, water
balloons, cannons and other toys is likely to touch Rs.10,000 crore this
year, while the Indian herbal perfumed colour industry is likely to
touch Rs.5,000 crore this Holi.
"Almost all the Chinese products
of Holi have been sold out and local products that were purchased from
manufacturers in low quantities are still in the stock. Last year, the
ratio of sale of Chinese and Indian sprinklers was 80:20 but this year
this ratio has changed to 95:5," the survey added.
The
Assocham surveyed about 1,000 colour manufacturers and shopkeepers in
Allahabad, Agra, Hathras, Mathura, Vrindavan, Delhi and the National
Capital Region (NCR), Kanpur, Lucknow and Patna between January and
February.
The Holi
colours and accessories industry is growing at a compounded rate of 20
percent, and the industry is likely to reach Rs.15,000 crore, the
Assocham said.