The Union budget’s absence of announcements for the textile industry in Surat has disappointed the region’s industry. The industry was not satisfied since none of the demands it made were met.
Vijay Mevawala, president of SGCCI, said, “The textile industry’s demand related to the quality control order (QCO) in specialty yarn should be resolved. We were hoping for an announcement related to Yarn Bank. In fact, the Government should introduce QCO on imported fabric to boost local industries.”
Ashok Jirwala, president of FOGWWA, emphasised the need for a scheme like TUF to improve exports, compete globally, and create employment. He said, “For the growth of the textile sector, to improve exports, to compete globally, and to create employment, a scheme like TUF is needed urgently. We can produce export-quality fabric only if we have the required quality machinery, which is not manufactured in India.”
Ashish Gujarati of the Pandesara Weavers Cooperative Society noted that the textile industry received little attention in the budget, despite being the second-largest employer after agriculture.
He also discussed the difficulties the Gujarati textile industry has as a result of the lack of a textile policy. The group from the textile sector recently met with the Chief Minister of Gujarat and Central Ministers to discuss their issues; however, no announcements on their demands were made.
Gujarati continued by saying that new investments will not come in the absence of policies and incentive programs like TUF, which could impede the expansion of the sector. The IT Act 43B(h) payment time restriction modifications and delay, which was another significant demand, went unanswered.
