Weavers anticipate a technology upgrade plan

The domestic textile industry is calling for the implementation of an appropriate Textile Technology Development Scheme (TTDS) to take the place of the current Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme in order to take advantage of the global opportunities that are emerging in the post-pandemic era (TUFS).

It should be noted that the most recent TUFS modification, which was valid until March 31 of this year, was postponed pending the release of TTDS. According to sources in the textile industry, textile units are waiting for the introduction of the new programme in order to modernise their facilities because, under the current amended TUFS programme, they hardly receive a subsidy of more than 10%.

According to them, TUFS was first introduced in 1999 and has since undergone numerous modifications in response to technological and market advancements. They also assert that it is past due for TTDS to be unveiled as soon as possible in light of the fact that the US and European nations are attempting to reduce their reliance on China and are instead looking to countries like India and Vietnam for imports.

“We need to upgrade the manufacturing process rapidly to tap the global opportunity. More than 50 % weaving units across India are still using over 20 year old powerlooms. Time has come to replace old machineries with modern Rapier, Waterjet and airjet looms which would improve quality of Indian fabric,” said Bharat Chhajer, past chairman of Powerloom Development & Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL), an organisation functioning under Union ministry of textile.