Tirupur units unhappy over Rs 200 cr allocation

The Finance Minister had today announced a one-time grant of Rs 200 crore for setting up an effluent treatment plant in Tirupur, one of the country’s largest textile hubs in the country, Tamil Nadu. But, the industry may not be very happy with it as it was expecting around Rs 500 crore.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had said while presenting the Budget that the government had proposed a one time grant of Rs 200 crore to Tamil Nadu towards the cost of installation of a zero liquid discharge system at Tirupur to sustain the knitwear industry.

“The industry, which provides livelihood to thousands will now be able to do so without undermining the environment,” he added.

It may be recalled, the Supreme Court had passed an order imposing a fine of around Rs 55 crore on the dyeing and bleaching industry of Tirupur, for polluting the Noyyal River and also affecting the ground water quality.

An industry representative had said that the industry had set up 20 common effluents plants in the town for around Rs 800 crore.

The Tamil Nadu government had sanctioned Rs 120 crore for the project. Meanwhile A Sakthivel, president, Tirupur Exporters’ Association (TEA), welcomed the launch of an exclusive skill development programme in the textile and garment sector as it is the need of the hour for the knitwear garment sector and added that the initiative will help enhance labour productivity.

Sakthivel said, Technology Upgradation Fund (TUF) allocation of Rs 2,400 crore and said the allocation would help in reimbursing of interest under TUF scheme to the borrowers who opted for the TUF scheme.