All Kerala Chitty Foremen's Association to protest on July 21

THRISSUR: The All Kerala Chitty Foremen's Association Thursday said it would stage protests in district collectorates on July 21 demanding "suitable amendments to the state government rules" framed under the Central Chit Act.


The Rs. one lakh crore annual turnover private chit industry was under the threat of closure following "enactment" of rules under the Central Chit Act, 1982, by the Kerala government, Association Working Chairman P D Jose told newsmen here Thursday.


The industry provided gainful employment to over one lakh persons in the state. He said the Association had earlier challenged the Kerala Chit Act, 1975, which made it very difficult for the foremen to conduct chitties in Kerala. It was declared null and void by the Supreme Court recently which directed the state government to implement the Central Act and frame relevant rules.


Jose alleged that provisions of Kerala Chit Act, 1975 had been incorporated in the rules framed under the Central Act. Under the circumstances, it would be very difficult for the private chit foremen to start new chits unless relevant amendments to the rules were made, he added. They are staging the protests demanding amendments to the rules framed with a view to enabling private chit promoters to conduct their business in the state, he said.