The indefinite strike by 6,000 powerloom owners and the fast-unto-death undertaken by BJP corporator Ramchandra Jannu and industrialist Ashok Jain from April 1, to protest against four per cent sales tax levied on Solapur bedsheets in this year's Maharashtra budget, entered the fourth day today. Meanwhile, four women BJP corporators in the Solapur Municipal Corporation (SMC) also undertook a relay fast to express solidarity with the fasting duo. Members of the Solapur Yantramag Dharak Sangh took out a massive morcha to demand withdrawal of the sales tax. The traders in the city would observe a bandh tomorrow to protest against the sales tax on Solapur bedsheets.

Leather prices soften

An easy tendency persisted on the local leather market during the week under review with both raw and treated leather prices drifting caused by poor demand by the leather exporters in the course of increased arrivals. In raw section, goat salted and unsalted declined fromRs 65-70 and Rs 85-95 to close at Rs 45-50 and Rs 75-80 per skin of 30"X40" inches. Sheep unsalted prices dipped from Rs 140 to finish at Rs 130 per skin of 32X40" inches. Among treated section, goat suede and goat napa moved down to close at Rs 4.00-6.00 or lot 4.50 and 2.00-3.00 or 2.75 lot per sq dm respectively. Sheep napa also traded lower at Rs 2.50-5.00 or 4.50 lot instead of Rs 2.50-7.00 or 5.00 lot.

Gur prices up

Gur prices revealed a firm tendency during the week under review on the primary gur (jaggery) market due to increased stockist as well as local parties demand coupled with reduced arrivals of ready stocks from manufacturing mandies and closed with good gains in Muzzafarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. Better neighbouring states advices also enthused the market sentiment to some extent, dealers said. Delhi wholesale market also showed the similar trend and closed with fresh gains. Market remained closed on Monday due to "id-ul-zuha".

Sugar prices firm

In New Delhi sugar pricesshowed a rising tendency during the week under review on the primary sugar market despite the announcement of free sale of sugar and Public Distribution Scheme (PDS) quota by the government.

According the marketmen, increased seasonal demand was the main factor to enthuse the sugar prices. Higher soft drink and ice-cream maker's demand also added to the market sentiment, dealers said. Sugar ready M-30 And S-30 both improved from Rs 1,460-1,470 and Rs 1,430-1,450 to close at Rs 1,500-1,530 and Rs 1,490-1,520 per quintal respectively. Sugar mill delivery M-30 And S-30 also increased from Rs 1,320-1,370 and Rs 1,320-1,350 to finish at Rs 1,350-1,400 and Rs 1,340-1,390 per quintal respectively due to better stockist offtake.

Textiles lab in Agartala

A modern textiles testing laboratory, second of its kind in the north east, would be set up in Agartala with the joint collaboration shortly. While the state government would provide the major share for the 1.4 crore project the rest financial burdenwould be brone by Union textiles ministry. The laboratory would start functioning from May next, official sources said.

Bangladesh sugar tender

Bangladesh's state-owned Sugar and Food Industries Corporation held an import tender for 25,000 tonnes of white sugar with the offer ranging from $199.49 to $211.50 per tonne C&F basis, corporation officials and traders said. The officials said the lowest offer of $199.49 per tonne came from ED&F Man of Britain. The first shipment, of 12,500 tonnes, should be made by May 13 and the rest by May 23, they said. Singapore fuel oil swaps upSingapore fuel oil swaps rose in quiet trading on Monday as expectations of fresh physical demand helped the market overcome weaker crude, traders said. They said Shell Singapore's decision to cut crude run cuts in April also gave confidence to the market because there were fears that the company would raise output in the face of better margins early last week.