Help struggling members of Tirupur apparel sector, Rahul Gandhi pens letter to Textile Ministry
Tirupur: Heeding to the request of Tirupur Professional Congress and Tirupur Exporters Forum, on the rising price of yarn and its adverse impact on the Indian Apparel industry, Rahul Gandhi has penned to the Ministry of Textiles, requesting to help the ailing sector.
During Rahul Gandhi's recent visit to Tirupur, members of the Tirupur Professional Congress and Exports Forum discussed about the ordeal faced by the sector, after Covid and how the increase in yarn prices, are a threat to the industry. Later, a detailed letter, highlighting the plight of the industry was sent by Mohan Kumaramangalam, Working President, TN Congress toRahul Gandhi.
Acting on their plea, Rahul Gandhi has penned a detailed letter to Minister Smriti Zubin Iran requesting to help the struggling members of apparel sector to compete in the global market and thrive.
Here's the letter addressed by Rahul Gandhi to Minister of Textiles.
Dear Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani,
I hope this letter finds you well. This is regarding the steep increase in the price of yarn and its adverse impact on the Indian apparel industry.
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the textile supply chains. Cotton yarn production fell sharply due to mills operating below capacity even after the lockdown restrictions were lifted. While the production is gradually recovering, the shortfall in supply coupled with price volatility has adversely affected thousands of MSMEs in the sector. Despite the domestic shortfall, cotton yarn exports to Vietnam, Bangladesh and Peru witnessed an increase post the lockdown.
The Indian apparel industry faces growing competition from exporters in low cost manufacturing bases, like Vietnam, Bangladesh and other competitors with preferential access to key export markets. Further, the industry is still reeling under the impact of demonetisation and GST.
The cumulative impact of these factors has led to a steady decline in exports. During my recent visit to Tirupur, I was informed that exporters are therefore struggling to fulfil their orders.
They even requested for a suspension of yarn exports to stabilise input prices. A copy of the letter from the Tirupur Exporters Forum is enclosed herewith.
In this backdrop, I request you to extend all possible support to our brothers & sisters in the apparel sector and take necessary action to help them compete effectively in the global markets.