Indian powerloom weavers are worried!
And their cause of worry is Central Government’s proposal to bring Indian textile sector under Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) scheme.
If this happens, it could end up allowing fabric makers from China dump huge amount of finished goods in India.
The concern was raised yesterday (16 October) by the powerloom weavers of Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bhiwandi, Malegaon, Ichhalkaranji and others who met at Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) to oppose the proposal.
The weavers said that such a decision could close down several small and medium powerloom units and thereby make lots of workers jobless.
Adding more on the same, Puneet Khimasiya, leader of the Bhiwandi Powerloom Association said “If textile sector comes under RCEP, then China would be the biggest beneficiary. China has about US $ 50 billion worth finished fabric stock in factories. Due to the US-China trade war, Chinese are eagerly looking at dumping their cheap fabrics in India.”
Ashok Jirawala, President, Federation of Gujarat Weavers’ Association (FOGWA) said “The Government is running foreign trade agreement scheme wherein some countries are allowed to sell their products in India. There is no need for RCEP in the textile sector.”
SGCCI President Ketan Desai, said “We have started compiling data and a delegation of industry leaders would be going to meet concerned ministers in the Government to oppose the proposal of including textile industry under RCEP.”
