Powerloom sector asks government to step in; wants import tariffs

The state powerloom association stated on Friday that if the Centre was serious about turning its ‘Make in India’ mission into a reality, it should introduce a set of anti-dumping tariffs on fabrics imported from China and other countries to reduce the adverse impact on the domestic textile industry.

More than 50 per cent of the power loom manufacturers — around seven lakh powerlooms — are located in Bhiwandi district, known as the Manchester of Maharashtra. “However, the domestic textile industry is dying owing to the policies of the central and state governments that are anti-powerloom sector,” said Sharadram Sejpal, spokesperson for the Bhiwandi Powerloom Association.

Mr Sejpal said the fabrics imported from China and Sri Lanka were much cheaper than those produced domestically.

“Since 2015, crores of metres of fabrics were imported into the country, thereby paralysing the domestic sector. The domestic industry has collapsed,” said Mr Sejap. He said Union textile minister Smriti Irani had assured of a joint meeting of textile associations.

A delegation from Bhiwandi that was led by former local legislator Shaikh Asif Shaik Rashid, a lawyer, had recently met Ms Irani and presented a set of demands to her. Mr Shaikh said the domestic powerloom sector was witnessing an unprecedented “downturn” for the last two years.