Date:27/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/27/stories/2008112761690400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Garment industry may get power subsidy

Staff Reporter

High-powered committee to take a decision soon

Power tariff said to be very high in
southern States
A subsidy of Re 1 per unit of power used likely

BANGALORE: The garment industry, at present hit by power crisis, may get some respite.

The State Government is considering power subsidy to the existing garment industries, which will help the sector tide over recessionary times, Textile Commissioner G.C.R. Subramanian said on Wednesday.

His reaction came on the sidelines of “Trends directions: 2009 and beyond”, a seminar organised by the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) and WGSN to highlight fashion trends in world apparel market.

He said the garment industry had petitioned to the Government seeking power subsidy as tariff was on the higher side when compared to that of the Southern States. “The high-powered committee headed by the Textile Minister would take a decision on this shortly,” he added.

The industry had made representation after the textile policy was unveiled in which a similar subsidy had been offered to units that had been started after April 1. If approved, the units might get a subsidy of Re. 1on each unit of power used.

Mr. Subramanian said: “This subsidy will help the industry that is facing intermittent power outages. At present, power shortage as well as high power tariff is affecting the industry.”

On the achievement of policy target in the light of recession, he said: “We may not be able to achieve it fully.”

AEPC Joint Director Balaji and Gokaldas Images Chairman Jagadish Hinduja were present. The WGSN provides designers with the prevailing and future trends in the apparel industry, which benefits over 35,000 professionals across 60 countries.