NORTH-Burdens of Growth

to its declared programme in defiance of the state Congress fiat or, failing that, whether CPl itself is persuaded to undertake joint section with the Left Front THE arrival in Ludhiana, on Diwali night, of a three-member Soviet team led by Madam Kisjeleva to confirm the Soviet orders worth Rs 14 crores for woollen hosiery and select the items failed to enthuse the local manufacturers. Generally, the hulk of the hosiery industry's produce is exported to the Soviet bloc. But this year the industry is in difficult straits. There has been an acute shortage of superior wool and a consequent all- round spurt in prices. Orders worth about Rs 4 crores have been placed by other countries. The manufacturers arc finding it difficult to fulfil contracts signed on the basis of rates prevailing before the current rise in prices of wool.