On one hand, while the prices of petrol-diesel, gas and cooking oil are increasing rapidly, now the price of matches used in daily use is also going to increase after 14 years. A match box available for Rs 1 will now be sold at Rs 2 and the new prices will be applicable from December 1.
Representatives of five major matchbox industry bodies have unanimously decided to increase the price per matchbox from Rs 1 to Rs 2 from December 1.
The last time the price of a matchbox was revised in the year 2007, when the price of a matchbox was increased from 50 paise to one Rupee. The decision was taken at a meeting of the All India Chamber of Matches in Sivakasi.
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Matchmakers said that more than 10 types of raw materials are required to make matches. But the price of raw material has increased significantly due to which it is no longer possible to sell at the current prices.
Manufacturers said a kg of red phosphorus has increased from Rs 425 to Rs 810, wax from Rs 58 to Rs 80, outer box board from Rs 36 to Rs 55 and inner box board from Rs 32 to Rs 58. The cost of paper, splints, potassium chlorate and sulphur have also gone up by more than 10 per cent. The rising cost of diesel has also put additional burden on the industry.
About four lakh people work in this industry in Tamil Nadu and more than 90 percent of these workers are women. The employees are expected to get better paid pay after the price of matches increases.
