High energy cost, excessive water billing to trigger crisis in textile sector.

Lahore -- The export-oriented industry of apparel has rejected the excessive billing by the Lahore Water and Sanitation Agency, as the higher energy cost along with increasing water cost will have disastrous impact on export, triggering a crisis in the textile sector.

Moreover, the Punjab government should immediately stop the officials of Environment Department from unduly harassing the businessmen by repeatedly visiting their business premises.

These views were expressed by the Sunder Industrial Estate's Garment City Director Adeeb Iqbal while addressing a meeting of industrial representatives who gathered here to raise voice against the atrocities of WASA and Punjab Environment Department.

Adeeb Iqbal, who is also EC Member of the PRGMEA said that it was very unfortunate that some provincial departments were visiting the industrial units and thus putting a reverse gear to all government efforts aimed at expediting economic activities in this part of the country.

He said that aquifer charges of Rs100,000/month for 1 Cusec for Industries extracting water through tube wells is on the higher side and should be rationalized.

He urged the Lahore Water and Sanitation Agency and Lahore Development Authority, to review its decision for fixing water charges on monthly...