Panipat handloom sector begs for Govt support

13 Nov '09

2 min read

Handloom exports from Panipat in the state of Haryana slipped down in the fiscal 2008-09 due to lack of technical expertise. Growth of Panipat handloom industry is being stifled as the state government has not taken any concrete steps to develop a special cluster for handloom units in the town since establishment of the industry.

Handloom units keep on operating in scattered areas in the town, said Mr. Ramesh Verma, President of the Handloom Exports Manufacturers Association (HEMA), Panipat, which has been demanding a specific area and necessary infrastructure for the exporters in handloom industry, so that these units can work jointly and witness development.

HEMA is among the largest handloom manufacturers associations in Panipat having around 1,200 members.

Handloom industry that has offered international recognition to Panipat is facing challenges to acquire competitive stand in the global market just because the government has not offered technical knowledge to the manufacturers on quality control measures and the value-added products, which are essential factors to cater to the global markets.

There are about 2,000 handloom units in the medium and small sector producing durries, mats, table covers, bed sheets, curtains and carpets, actively, revealed the records of industries department.

Variety of products are manufactured mainly on three types of looms; Frame looms, Jacquard Looms and Pit Looms, which are used to produce plain as well as striped fabrics, designer fabrics and heavy fabrics, respectively.

The manufactured products are sold in domestic as well as international markets such as the US, Australia, Japan, Canada, Germany and Malaysia. Handloom exports from Panipat soared up from Rs. 6.8 billion in 1999-2000 to Rs 30 billion in 2007-08, as per industries department's records.

However, in the year 2008-09, these exports dropped down to Rs. 28.4 billion due to recession. Handloom manufacturers see the prospects of recovery if they receive required support from the government.

Government needs to guide these manufacturers for the kind of products they need to produce and for quality maintenance of the product, to make these manufacturers competitive on the global platform, said Mr. Ram Pratap, Executive Member of HEMA.

Grievances of the weavers in Panipat have not been addressed as well as there are no proper educational and medical facilities for weavers and their families, said Mr. Verma. Many weavers here are the migrants from different states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and are employed on contractual wages or piece rate basis.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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