The tussle between the exporters and the AEPC took on new proportions in 2015 with many disclosures, counter arguments, RTIs and court cases. While exporters remain firm on their claims of corruption and malpractices, council members are adamant that facts are being twisted to present a negative picture to defame the people who have worked hard over the years in the interest of the industry. The one good news that came in was the mandatory implementation of EVS for voting at AEPC… The system was put to test at the recently held AEPC elections on 18th December. Even as anticipation mounts, the fact remains that all is not well… and the deadlock has to be broken.
The first shocker of the year from the AEPC was directed to Apparel House showroom holders… A letter directed by the Addl. Secretary General, AEPC in response to a letter sent by the Apparel House Exporters Association (AHEA) enquiring about schedules of India Market Days to be held at the Apparel House for the year 2015, declared that the EC committee had unanimously decided to discontinue the India Market Days as it was a financial burden and loss to the AEPC as showroom holders have not come forward and ensured opening up of all showrooms.
Bowing to the pressure of the very active AHEA, the Ministry finally constituted a committee for the management of AIM (Apparel International Mart), under the chairpersonship of Pushpa Subrahmanyam, Addl. Secretary to the Ministry of Textiles in September. However, sadly, the AEPC decided to boycott the committee and refused to participate in any discussions.
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At one end the AEPC openly criticised the exporters for not cooperating to ensure the success of Indian Market Days, leading to scrapping of the event, at the other end exporters who participated at BSMs and Fairs abroad were disappointed with the organisation and poor marketing of events by the AEPC. Strong letters were exchanged blaming the callous attitude of AEPC for poor turnout of buyers; many claimed that international shows had turned into paid holidays for ‘select’ officials and EC members. Some participants even alleged that whatever business was generated has been gifted to the companies of the EC members.
Even as the industry and the AEPC crossed swords over the functioning of the council, the findings of the CAG report based on audits done in the financial years 2003-04 to 2011-12 were made public declaring that funds amounting to Rs. 30.50 lakh were unaccounted for. Many pertinent questions were being asked and an RTI was filed to understand why action had not been taken against officials/EC members named in the report. Misappropriation of funds, lack of effective monitoring and disregard to MoT directions were highlighted by the report. AO carried a detailed analysis of the report and even the textile minister appreciated the efforts to bring the debate on to a public platform….but nothing changed.
Along with the core functioning of the council, the educational and training wing of the AEPC was also in the radar and while ATDC centres were scrutinised, the credibility of IAM (Institute of Apparel Management) was questioned.
As the tension between the exporters and AEPC reached flashpoint, a letter written by the SG of AEPC, Puneet Kumar surfaced alleging gross irregularities in the management of the IIGF, with the International Garment Fair Association. Allegations are flying from all directions and the split within the AEPC is only adding to the mess. In all this the sufferer is the exporter and in the larger context the industry… Sadly the ordinary exporter, and member of the AEPC, has no real say in anything. We have said time and again that transparency needs to be the basic pillar on which the functioning of the council stands, but internal and hidden agendas have riddled the potential and scope of influence the council could have had on export promotion.
We all wait to see how the EVS works out and how many exporters come forward to avail the opportunity. As a responsible media we have already sounded the exporters and have on the positive side received feelers and acknowledgment of enthusiasm, but results will speak on how the drama actually plays out. One thing is for sure…, someone has to budge, and 2016 could be an exciting year for the council… Will we see some new faces at the helm; Will there be a fresh air of resolve; Is change finally at the doorstep…? Only time will tell…!
