Powerloom weavers want power subsidy extended to existing units

SURAT: The Federation of Indian Art Silk Weaving Industry (FIASWI) and the Federation of

Gujarat

Weavers’ Association (FOGWA) have urged chief minister Vijay Rupani for considering extending relief in power tariff to the existing powerloom units and providing 10% capital subsidy in the textile policy announced by the state government.


In the recently announced textile policy, the state government has reduced Rs 3 per unit in the low tension (LT) and Rs 2 in the high tension (HT) lines for the new industrial units and those expanding the units with new machinery. However, the leaders stated there is nothing for the existing 6 lakh powerloom units in the city. This would result in the competition between the existing unit owners and those setting up new units.

Another issue raised by the powerloom weavers is about the textile policy missing the important point of providing capital subsidy. The weavers have stated that the government should include 10% capital subsidy for the units located in the city limits and 15% capital subsidy for those in the outskirts with subsidy cap of Rs 20 crore.

FIASWI chairman, Bharat Gandhi said, “Surat is already an established man-made fabric (MMF) centre contributing over 60% of the total fabric demand of the country. The existing units needs to be encouraged for modernisation and power tariff subsidy, whereas the government is providing benefits to only new units.”

Gandhi added, “The power tariff subsidy and capital subsidy is demanded to prevent the existing unit owners going to Navapur in Maharashtra, where they are getting power at Rs 3.50 per unit.”

President of FIASWI Ashok

Jirawala

said, “It is the responsibility of the government to prevent the unit owners going to other states due to conducive business environment there. We have written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for increasing subsidy in technology upgradation scheme from 10% to 30% and clearing the pending files of TUF subsidy belonging to small powerloom weavers.”


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