Finally, there is some movement in the Rajasthan CM’s office related to demands of Garment Exporters Association of Rajasthan (GEAR), a body having almost 190 members involved in garment exports. GEAR has approached State Government and senior officials many times for its various demands but with little feedback. Recently CM Vasundhara Raje instructed officials to look into the demands and advise whether they can be fulfilled, claimed Jaipur-based exporters familiar with the matter. “Earlier the issue was on the table of the Secretary and things were not moving, but now action seems to be happening,” said the source.
Main demands of GEAR were related to the creation of hubs for fabric and printing and formulation of design studios with facilities for CAD/CAM/ Print machinery. The Association also suggested that the centre or hubs should be established in the area of Sitapura in Jaipur, a well planned and developed area having hundreds of garment factories. Vivek Khandelwal, President of GEAR informed Apparel Online, “We are hopeful that the State Government will take action on our demands as their response was positive.”
The Association’s other demands include 10 hours working for the workers engaged in the textile, garment and handicraft industries and that the Wages Advisory Board/Committee should have a representative member from each textile/garment industry association to put forward the interest of their segment. It also demanded for interest subsidy for five years, similar to what the state of Gujarat has, abolishing of VAT and power tariff concession, independent board for textile/garment sector to be established in the state to review and recommend to Government authority the requirement of garment and textile industries.
