Use Tirupur's skill in making face masks - Satyabhama in a letter to PM
Tirupur: Former Tirupur MP Satyabhama has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate immediate action regarding the permit to export protective kits and face masks manufactured at the Tirupur Industrial Center.
In the letter, she said, "I would like to draw your attention to the notification number 52 / 2015-2020 dated 19 March 2020 issued by the Chief Directorate of Foreign Trade (DGFT). According to this notification, all the surgical / disposable (2/3 fiber) masks and masks for ITCHC codes ex 392690, ex 621790, ex 630790, ex 901890, ex 9020, 560311, 12, 13, 14, 91, 93, 94 exports are banned, but masks made by hosiery units (Chapter 61) are not forbidden."
She said, according to Chapter 61, customs authorities do not permit the export of masks made of linen that do not fall within the restricted category. She added there are two types of masks produced: One-time use medical masks and the others for general use.
Masks for medical use:
They are non-woven and multilayered (2 fibre / 3 fibre) and ensure the non-passage of micron-sized particles other than air. This mask can be worn for up to 6 hours after which it should be discarded. The World Health Organization has recently recognized globally one fibre, two fibre and polyurethane coated, five fibrous woven and non-woven woven materials.
Ex-MP Satyabhama in the letter said, if the government arranges for procurement and transport of raw materials and provides technical guidance from research organizations such as DRDO, Tirupur hosiery units can work with full workforce to produce masks enough for the entire nation in one month and can completely avoid importing masks.
Masks for general use:
In the current context, it is mandatory in all countries for those who leave home to wear a mask. Such masks can be washed and reused. Ex-MP Satyabhama said, "Tirupur Industrial Center has the potential to produce large numbers of facial care needs nationwide. Tirupur has the capability to meet both domestic and global requirements in the manufacture of personal protective equipment (PPE) and public utility woven and non-woven masks".
She in the letter said, "I, therefore, request the Prime Minister to document the sanction of the export of face masks. If not, then the orders received by Tirupur will go to its competitors and Tirupur will lose its potentials"