Once a rich for royal industry; the age old textile sectors have been reduced to a heritage entity with the changing times. Starting from hand-made to machine-made, the textiles were the symbol of our tradition, culture & social attributes. But unfortunately slowly & steadily the hallmark textile products, which were our way of life, are getting replaced by many artificial modern adoptions. Though some of the states & central agencies as well, like Khadi & Village Industries Commission, Handloom boards & Textile Committees are trying their bit, but result is not encouraging.
At various point of time, govt. has declared some condusive plans, programmes & policies to boost the textile industries, but it could not go well down to the grassroot level. Because to uplift ailing industries, the prime requirement is to first come up to the ‘zero’ level from minus, which was not done duly in past. The govt. & other agencies have done only work- place maintenance instead of balancing maintenance.
It seems, the central govt. is realizing the fact of late. Fine; ‘Better late than never’. The recent decision of central govt. to release Rs 2,546 crore as a subsidy for the crisis –hit textile sectors, which is expected to directly reach the actual beneficiaries, will definitely boost the moral of the heritage sector. The funds will reach around 12,540 befitting beneficiaries through 121 financial institutions.
This is no doubt a welcome step by the govt. But as always, the funds must not be misutilised in other way round. Banks & financial sectors must be regulated properly by the govt. to make the funds available easily to the beneficiaries. On top of this, the govt. agencies must keep tab on the beneficiaries to use this subsidy to their industries & have competitive business. As the exports of garments have already fall by 15.4% in the first quarter of this fiscal, the beneficiaries also should be advised to maintain quality to boost the export through their produces.