Stakeholders for better working conditions for textile work
Jaipur, Mar 20: A state level multi-stakeholder consultation held here today on Indian Textile industry stressed the need of promotion of eco-friendly products and ensuring improvement in working conditions of artisans.
The consultation on 'promoting sustainable textiles for sustainable development Indian Textile Industry',--organised jointly by All India Artisans and Craftsmakers Welfare Association and Health and Social Development Center Jaipur--,also expressed concern over inadequate investment on occupational health and safety of artisans in the industry.
The issue of poor arrangement for safe disposal of hazardous effluents from the industry in the state.
The consultation was organised as part of a project-Sustainable Textile for Sustainable
Development (SusTex),-,under the European Commission's Switchasia programme, with active participation of Traidcraft(UK) and the Consortium of Textile Exporters,Rajasthan (COTEX) were the implementing partners. The consultation was attended by representatives from small and medium entrepreneurs engaged in textiles, policy makers and government officials.
Addressing the participants Additional Director Industries LC Jain said the state textile industry has suffered immensely because of issues relating to environment.
Mr Jain said many textile units in Pali and Balotra have been closed for environment norms and some textile units in Sanganer are also facing an uncertain future.
He said that the state government was aware of hazards of the polluting textile industry and the integrated textile part at Bagru was developed with due safe guards against pollution.
Ms Mridula Chandra, Chief Executive, Â Health and Social Development Research Centre (HSDRC) said artisans of the textile industry should get the benefit of the various incentive schemes offered by banks and various agencies. She said that the rules and procedures should be simplified particularly those relating to linkages to credit and linkages to market.
She also laid emphasis on reducing the production cost to enable the industry to withstand the competitive market. Amita Puri,Executive Director, AIACA said the country exports handloom products of Rs 10,000 crore,however, the number of handloom users are falling each year. Switchasia Project Manager Ravi Kharka and AIACA Project Coordinator Mayank Trivedi also spoke.