Dunlop Chairman Pawan Kumar Ruia, asked for 12-year sales tax exemption from the government to save the industry from impact of the global slowdown. The company needs Rs 70 crore to resume operations and it has applied for bank loan which would be sectioned within 2-3 months. Ruia is also meeting the state Labour Minister Mrinal Banerjee for seeking tax exemptions to achieve long-term revival plans of the company.

He said that the political parties should understand the problems of the industry and do not politicize the matter over subsistence allowance. He was indicating towards the political backlash over the past week on subsistence allowance of Rs 2000 given to employees. The decision was taken after consultation with the employees.

It is worth noting, that the company had announced suspension of production at the Sahaganj plant on November 17 due to low demand which was opposed by the Left Front partners Forward Bloc and Opposition Trinamool.

He asked for early incentive package for the industry to get relief from slowdown. He again requested the government to source all tyres from the company and improve liquidity in the market.