The Federation of All Trade and Industries Association (FATIA) has urged the state government to take measure to safeguard the textile processing units from collapse, as textile sector ranks next only to agriculture in terms of employment generation.

They have expressed apprehensions over fructification of the proposal for establishing common effluent treatment plant worth Rs. 700 crore benefitting production units in Erode, Namakka, Karur and Salem districts.

The apprehension has been caused by the emphasis of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board on ‘polluter pays principle’, N. Sivanesan, FATIA president, said in a letter to Chief Minister O. Paneerselvam.

It has become extremely crucial for the Government to come forward to establish the CETPs, the expenditure incurred towards operating them could be collected from the industrial units. The number of textile processing units has reduced to 328 from 1,578 over the years due to the pollution control norms, Mr. Sivanesan said, seeking a government order based on the project report prepared for the proposed CETPs worth Rs. 700 crore.

At present the textile processing units are facing difficulties in fulfilling the zero liquid discharge norms, steps must be taken for diverting the effluent generated by the industrial units to the sea. Also, textile industries must be permitted to transport sludge to cement companies.

There is a strong need to establish a solid waste management center in the Western region, As in Gummudipoondi.