Apex industry body ASSOCHAM has submitted a 10-point detailed agenda for growth and development of Indian textile industry to the Textiles Minister, Mr Santosh Gangwar. "With textile industry in China reducing its spinning activities thereby becoming uncompetitive and textile sector in Bangladesh facing wage disputes, security and compliance related problems, there is a huge window of opportunity which needs to be converted to export performance, for Indian textile industry to increase its global market share," said Mr Thyagu Valliappa, chairman, Textile Council of The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) who led the chamber's delegation along with Mr R.K. Wij, advisor, Indo Rama Synthetics Limited. In order to ensure price stability and security for both cotton farmers and mills, ASSOCHAM has suggested a package consisting of key elements like - an interest subvention of five per cent for working capital for cotton purchase, banks should provide working capital limits covering nine months' cotton requirements as against present requirement of 3-4 months and margin money being charged by banks on working capital for cotton be reduced to 10 per cent from existing 25 percent.
"An interest subvention of five per cent would lead to substantial increase in cotton yarn production and cotton consumption thereby leading to expansion of spinning sector to serve the downstream segments of textile value chain in a better way," noted ASSOCHAM. "With over 30 per cent cotton produced in India being exported, converting this cotton into yarn and other value added products would increase their exports and create additional employment." Besides, the transport of cotton and cotton yarn should be exempt from Cabatoge Rule and using foreign flag vessels for transport between southern states (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) and northern states (Gujarat and Maharashtra) i.e. cotton producing states and yarn consuming centers. "It would help reduce transport cost by 60-70 per cent when compared to the lorry freight and sustain the viability of huge production capacities available in Tamil Nadu which accounts for about 1/3rd of domestic textile business and accounts for about 47.5 per cent of spinning capacity, 70 per cent cotton knitting and garment capacity respectively."
Considering that cotton is grown in over 15 states across India, ASSOCHAM has suggested the Government to set up a cotton board. "There is a need for an organized and scientifically supported development organization, which can take up research and development work with various stakeholders."
