Hardly two days after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Rajya Sabha that militant trade unionism is the main reason for Kerala’s backwardness in industrial progress, the ruling CPI(M) in the state has vindicated her stance.

Yet another proprietor of a small enterprises in Palakkad district is on the verge of suicide following the high handed behaviour of trade union leaders owing allegiance to the CPI(M).

It is Nokku Kooli of a different kind, according to the small -time entrepreneur, C Jayaprakash.

Jayaprakash, owner of Prakash Steels and Cements at Kulappulli in the district was shocked on Thursday morning when he came to open his shop, a retail outlet of steels and cements.

The leaders and workers of CITU, a trade union owned by the CPI(M) had set up a spacious hut in front of the shop to block the entry of customers as well as movement of commodities to and from the premises.

“They are demanding the removal of the loading and unloading machine which I have installed in the shop. The machine costing `6.5 Lakh had made loading and down loading easy for the customers and works with just two skilled workers. The CITU leaders are demanding the machines to be removed from the shop and workers owing allegiance to the party be employed to do the loading and unloading jobs,” Jayaprakash told The Pioneer.

He has been waging a legal battle against the trade union bosses who are demanding that five members of their unions should be employed for the job. “Each worker has to be paid `1500 though they are not skilled or trained to operate the machine. The machine needs just two skilled operators to carry out the loading and unloading job,” said Jayaprakash.

The CITU leaders said they cared a damn for the machine and blamed Jayaprakash for installing such a system without seeking their permission.

“We want the rights of our members to be protected at any coast,” said Jayapalan, leader of the CPI(M).

Jayapraksh has an order from the Kerala High Court allowing him to operate the machine with the workers of his choice.

“But the union leaders are saying that they were not at all bothered about court orders. They have threatened me with dire consequences if I went ahead and operate the machine. There is threat to my life and I have sought police protection,” said Jayaprakash.

The traders association will observe a day-long hartal in Kulappulli on Friday to show its solidarity with Jayaprakash.