The first phase of Gujarat Assembly polls is on 1st December, and being the textile and garment hub, the state’s election is creating a buzz in the industry.
During the campaign, Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi and National Convener of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) interacted with Surat’s textile traders. He assured the city’s textile traders that the AAP will make the city ‘garment hub’ of the country with an export-oriented integrated textile park and creation of thousands of jobs.
He said, if voted to power, the AAP Government will bring in a special law to protect them against cases of cheating in payment of dues.
He further added that textile units will get basic infrastructure and the rates of electricity will be lowered. In his words, “We will stop the raid raj and harassment at the hands of tax inspectors.” He promised traders MSME benefits and easy loans with a raised limit from Rs. 25 lakh to Rs. 1 crore.
Union Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal was also seen campaigning in Ahmedabad and interacting with textile industry leaders at the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Naresh Sharma, Secretary of Maskati Kapad Market Mahajan said the Central Government should develop a textile park in Ahmedabad.
The Textile Minister assured the industry that the Government will take action to resolve various issues including the TUF subsidy issues.
In a separate interesting development, Vasim Shaikh, who earns his living as a daily-wage worker in a garment unit in Surat city, is also contesting in the election. He said, “I am engaged in cutting in a garments unit. Someone told me to fill up the forms which I did. I was not aware that I was being made a candidate.”
