Textile traders whose businesses were affected by the byelection to the Erode (East) Assembly constituency heaved a sigh of relief as the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which had been in place for a month, was lifted on Monday. They expect business to improve in the coming weeks.
The MCC, which came into force on January 7, placed restrictions on carrying cash above ₹50,000. This adversely impacted business, as cash carried by traders from other states and districts was seized for lacking valid documents. Over 3,000 textile shops operate across the city, while the weekly textile market on Mondays and Tuesdays attracts a large number of traders making bulk purchases.
Traders expressed displeasure over the enforcement of the MCC, which affected their sales during Pongal season, a time when they usually witness brisk business. This was the fifth election the constituency had witnessed since 2021, and traders have been urging authorities to relax the restriction on carrying cash.
With the MCC lifted on Monday, traders said wholesalers and retailers were informed, and they expect business to improve in the coming weeks. “Since summer will start soon, we expect bulk orders by the end of February,” said a trader at Panneerselvam Park. He added that traders from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana are expected to arrive in the coming weeks and anticipated a rise in business volume.
Typically, business remains slow in March but picks up in April due to festival demand. As summer is expected to begin by the end of this month, traders believe the sale of summer garments, particularly cotton items, will increase.
Published - February 11, 2025 07:20 pm IST
