The power loom weaver of Surat, country’s largest man-made fabric (MMF) hub has urged the state government to come up with a similar textile promotion scheme on the lines of Maharashtra government to encourage the MMF sector.

Weavers have written letters to the chief minister, deputy chief minister, MPs and MLAs in Gujarat for considering the textile scheme for development of textile sector in the state on the lines of Maharashtra. As per the scheme launched by Maharashtra government, the textile units have been given an impetus package to the tune of Rs 4,600 crore and the reduction of electricity tariff by Rs 2 per unit.

The Surat powerloom weavers is seeking textile scheme that will provide an impetus package, slash electricity tariff and modernization in the weaving units to increase the quality of fabric production.

President of Pandesara Weavers Cooperative Society Ashish Gujarati said that the units in Maharashtra are already receiving electricity at the tariff lower than what they are paying in Surat. Still, the Maharashtra government has slashed the electricity tariff by Rs 2 per unit.

This will make the end production cost of the units in Maharashtra 40 percent less compared to Surat.

According to the power loom weavers, this will encourage even the entrepreneurs from Surat to set up units in Maharashtra as the fabric manufactured there will be 40 percent cheaper than Surat.Power loom weavers stated that Maharashtra government is providing 25 per cent capital subsidy and there is no cap on investment made in the textile sector.

This will encourage the textile entrepreneurs in setting up power loom weaving units in the textile pockets in Maharashtra, thereby giving a stiff competition to the MMF industry in Surat.