Surat: The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) will approach the state govt with a demand to allow incentives in the new textile policy for units within the limits of the municipal corporation. The decision was made at a meeting of industry leaders on Friday.
In the newly announced textile policy, subsidies are not allowed for new or expanding units within the limits of the municipal corporation. However, in the city, there is scope for development of new units or the expansion of existing ones.
"The issue was discussed among industry leaders, and it is directly impacting the industry in the city. SGCCI will make a representation to the govt on priority," said SGCCI president Vijay Mevawala.
"There is infrastructure available in Surat city to develop new units or expand existing ones. There are Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP) within the municipal limits, and they can cater to new processing units," said Pramod Chaudhary, MD of Pratibha Group.
"The point was discussed at the meeting, and SGCCI will make a representation," Chaudhary added.
Currently, a large number of textile industry units are operating within the city. Pandesara and Sachin CETPs are within city limits, and they have the capacity to provide services to new units.
"Surat's industrial situation is different from other parts of Gujarat, and it is possible that this was not considered while forming the rules," said Ashish Gujarati, president, Pandesara Weavers Co-operative Society.
Industry leaders claimed that the policy will play a key role in the further growth of the textile industry in the state. Industrialists are hopeful that because of better subsidy terms and time frames, existing industries in the city will not move to other states. In fact, it will attract new investment.