"The finance ministry has called a meeting of the textile traders next week to resolve the issue of harassment by excise authorities. The authorities have been raiding textile processors and traders for the last 15 days under the pretext of delay in the payment of dues," said Dinesh Parekh, chairman, joint action committee of traders. The finance ministry's intervention comes in the wake of the union textile minister Kashi Rama Rana's efforts to settle the issue. Raj Purohit, minister of state for labour in the Maharashtra government has also called a meeting of the textile traders to discuss the issue.

"The raids have been conducted following appropriate evidences of the undervaluation ofvalue of the fabrics. We have given an assurance to the traders that if there is any case of harassment, they can immediately approach the chief commissioner," said a top customs department official.

The chemical and alkali manufacturers association has called for measures to reddress the grievances of the textile traders. Chemical and alkali manufactures will suffer if the strike continues for a longer period of time since they are the major suppliers to traders and processors.