Thaindian News

Chennai, Jan 19 (IANS) The Indian government should have a stable policy for the textiles industry which needs to adopt a uniform growth plan, an experts panel said here Wednesday.A panel discussion on “Prospects of Textile Exports” was organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council of India (TEXPROCIL.

Amit H Ruparelia, chairman of TEXPROCIL, who opened the discussion, said the textiles and clothing sector is facing various challenges like increase in raw material prices in India and overseas and changes in the government policy last year.

According to Manikam Ramaswami, chairman and managing director of Loyal Textile Mills, the domestic demand is on the rise and the industry should move towards free trade regime away from quota regime, implying export quota for cotton.

T. Kannan, managing director of Thiagarajar Mills, said India’s competitive strength comes from its home grown cotton, increased productivity and competitive yarn.

Stressing the need for a stable sectoral policy Ashwin Chandran, joint managing director of Precot Meridian, said the spinning industry is sandwiched between cotton growers and the garment makers.

“The fabric and garment sectors should be ready to pay international prices as cross subsidies would not work in the long run,” he said.

Countering the argument, P. Sundararajan, chief managing director of SP Apparels, charged that the spinning mills are not ready to accept orders in advance so that the garment makers can meet their schedules.

Saumitra Chaudhuri, member of planning commission, urged the industry to come out with medium term plan for textile and cotton segment keeping in mind the domestic needs, logistics and integration with South East and African markets.