From toys, footwear and furniture to insulated flasks, smart meters, and air coolers - the Central government over the last decade has mandated higher standards for production and imports of such items. Sample this: Till 2014, there were 14 Quality Control Orders (QCOs) covering 106 products. By the latest count, there are 156 QCOs on 672 products.
'I found it unbelievable that L&T said 45,000 jobs were waiting to be filled because of unavailability of suitable skillsets.' 'So, when the Opposition sweepingly says there are no jobs, I'm sorry... I'm not saying it's raining jobs, but there are jobs. The (skill) gap has to be bridged.'
India's textile and clothing exports to the US have declined by over 14 per cent at $1.7 billion in the first four months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 due to slump in demand.
The International Conference on Performance Wear and Functional Textiles presented the Technical Textiles Accomplishment Award to Professor Seshadri Ramkumar of Texas Tech University.
Withdraw mandatory excise duty of 10 per cent on branded garments and made ups while continuing optional routes for all segments in the textile and clothing sector.
Few in Varanasi expect the result to be different from 2014 and 2019. The only point of interest is whether Narendra Modi will increase his winning margin against his rivals.
The textiles ministry is in favour of a reduction in textiles tariffs under ongoing World Trade Organisation negotiations on market access, but said overall reduction in the case of developing countries should be lower than developed countries.
Despite the recent Western criticism on Bangladesh's labour standards, India has a long way to go before it overtakes the neighbour in global exports.
India has overtaken China as exporter of textile to the US and Europe markets due to cap on Chinese textiles in those countries.
On Thursday, the SC had voiced "serious concern" over Governor Ravi's refusal to reinduct Ponmudi as a minister in the state cabinet even after the SC had suspended his conviction in a corruption case.
The electoral battle in Varanasi, according to locals and political experts, is not about whether the PM will win for a third successive occasion, but if he will increase his share of the votes polled and his win margin.
Companies based at Gurgaon are sending workers on 45 days' leave without pay before the festival, while those in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, have not renewed the contracts of over 8,000 workers. All expansion plans have been put on hold and orders for new machinery are being revoked.
Till now ready-made garments and textile made-ups were under an optional excise duty regime and manufacturers were required to pay duty only if he wishes to avail of the Central value-added tax (Cenvat) credit.
If the concerns over risking political capital are overcome, the long-term gains for the Indian economy will be immense, asserts A K Bhattacharya.
"In China's 12th Plan, exports do not hold the same place. Besides, the Chinese will be vacating the lower end of value spectrum like textiles and leather...So who will replace them? Are we going to step in or will it be Vietnam or Turkey or Indonesia," Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said.
While considering the options before it, what the government can do is revive the defunct Textile Upgradation Fund Scheme, which lapsed on March 31, 2007.
The Odisha government told the assembly over 40,000 workers migrated from the state last year, with the highest number -- 26,151 -- from Balangir.
One employee on roller-skates can now operate a 120-150-ft spinning frame with 1,000 needles as it weaves cotton fibre into yarn, a task that used to require two on foot.
It's back to basics for the Sharvari Wagh who is giving denims a fashion upgrade.
Billionaire Gautam Singhania on Monday announced separation from wife Nawaz, saying the two have decided to pursue different paths. Singhania, 58, had married Nawaz Modi, daughter of solicitor Nadar Modi, in 1999. "This Diwali is not going to be the same as many in the past," Singhania, chairman and managing director of textiles-to-real estate conglomerate Raymond Ltd, said in social media posts.
The cost of branded garments and made-up textiles will go up by 10-15 per cent with imposition of excise duties as proposed in the Budget.
Akhil Jindal, President of Welspun Group and Rajendra Hinduja, Executive Director of Gokaldas Exports say that there has been significant improvement in cotton, home textiles, and the apparel segment.
Currently, India imposes 30-45 per cent duty on textile products from Pakistan.
Indian companies feel it will be difficult to take on the competition from Bangladesh, Cambodia and others, with their made-in-India products. Ethiopia offers ready-to-use sheds, income tax breaks, training subsidies, and a tax-free gateway into the US, Europe and China. Moreover, labour is available for $60 per month compared to $130-$150 in India.
Talking to media persons after taking charge of the new portfolio, she side-stepped questions about Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah being behind her shift saying it is not individuals but the party who takes such decisions.
Top company sources at Alok Industries said the processing required a lot of water, which is not a constraint in Gujarat.
The industry is losing Rs 20 crore a day, as consignments stalled just before festivities.
Amid speculation of partial withdrawal of stimulus in the upcoming Union Budget, Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran on Tuesday pitched for continuation of these measures for the textile sector for some more time as it is yet to recover fully.
India's Textiles Minister Shankersinh Vaghela Thursday stressed the need for Asian countries to come together to enhance competitiveness and harness their advantages to withstand global competition.
Exemption of excise and customs duty on liquid fuels, abolition of service charge, rescheduling of loans for all textiles and clothing units will reduce pressure on the industry and will help to improve liquidity.
Andhra Pradesh ranked No.1 with regard to the total number of investments made in textile projects this year, a study conducted by Confederation of Indian Industry-Southern region said.
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