Samajwadi MLA urges Maharashtra govt to announce relief package for textile industry hit by West Asia war

Mumbai: Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh has demanded that the state govt announce a relief package for the textile industry in Bhiwandi, Malegaon and Ichalkaranji, hit by the West Asia war. Highlighting the difficulties faced by the textile industry due to the ongoing war in West Asia, Shaikh has demanded that the state govt provide a special financial relief package for the textile sector. "Due to the Gulf war, the exports of India's textile products have come to a standstill. At the same time, rising prices of raw materials like cotton and yarn have forced the industry to shut operations for three days a week," Shaikh said.In his letter to CM Devendra Fadnavis and Textiles minister Sanjay Savkare, Shaikh said that a survey by the State Textile Corporation revealed that the industry suffered losses of around Rs 4,000 crore in just one month, March 2026. "Maharashtra has about 948,000 power looms and 4,000 handlooms, accounting for 39% of the country's total power looms. If the govt fails to support the sector, there could be a reverse migration of workers similar to what was seen during the COVID-19 pandemic," added Shaikh.The textile industry is the second-largest employer after agriculture. Key textile hubs in the state include Bhiwandi, Malegaon and Ichalkaranji. "Due to the Gulf conflict, both the raw material supply chain and export channels have been severely disrupted, forcing units to halt production for two days a week," added Shaikh.Stating that the industry is already struggling with high electricity costs, Shaikh said that with exports stalled, the financially strained sector faces the risk of collapse, which could result in massive job losses among skilled and unskilled workers.