The onslaught of the Coronavirus has had a drastic impact on the global as well as the Indian textile industry. Even though several sectors like industrial, medical, education, etc, were subjected to a major setback during the pandemic, the textile industry in India was massively affected in terms of productivity, functioning and employee relations, since the entire work-force involves the supply chain.
In the last few years, the Indian textile industry has witnessed a huge downfall, particularly in the domestic garment market with plenty of cancellations in orders, and no fresh orders coming through either. This has resulted in the work-force getting hugely affected, leaving millions of skilled and unskilled labourers with no option but to migrate to their natives. The Union government should consider the industry’s demands and take steps to support it. This should include providing temporary relief from the import duty on cotton, especially during off-season. The government should also invest in research and development to help the industry produce cotton more efficiently and sustainably, which will enable create more job opportunities, boost exports and grow the economy. One really hopes that the Union government will support this industry to the maximum and revive it soon to get back to its halcyon days. After all, ‘cloth’ is one of the three immediate and fundamental needs for human life.
Ranganathan Sivakumar
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