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CHAMBER OF TEXTILE TRADE & INDUSTRY
160, Jamunalal Bajaj Street, (1 st Floor), Kolkata - 700 007
Phones: +91 33 22682686, 22699811, FAX: +91 33 22734034
Email: cottiindia@bsnl.in/ cottiindia@gmail.com, Website : www.cotti.in
Ref. No. N-2/2010-11/ Date: 30.06.2010
Shri.V.Srinivas
Joint Secretary
Ministry Of Textiles, Govt. of India
Room No.229, Udyog Bhavan
New Delhi
E-mail : nfp-mot@nic.in
Dear Sir,
Sub: Comments/Suggestions - Draft National Fibre Policy, 2010
A National Fibre Policy is necessary for India, given the growing competition in global
textile, trade, concomitant changes in the Indian textile sector and growth objectives of
Indian economy. However, Indian textile sector is known for its versatility, diversity and
horizontal and vertical linkages. No other country has such complete supply chains
across so many different fibers. With potential markets, at the domestic and
international level, for each of the fiber products, it is indeed a tough context to decide
upon the right mix of fibbers.
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India has just released a Draft National Fibre Policy
(DNFP) on 7 th . June, 2010. This draft is based on the deliberations of sub-groups on
Cotton, Man-made fibres (MMF), Jute, Silk,Wool, Other Natural fibres, Speciality fibres
(Technical Textiles), and Speciality (Suvin and
Organic) Cotton.
I ( Bulaki Das Mimani) Hony.Secretary , Chamber of Textile Trade and Industry,
Kolkata, am a member of the “ Working Group to Formulate the National Fibre
Policy as per Ministry of Textile’s Order No.3/1/2007-NMCC dated 02.09.2009.
The Working Group has not met to discuss and approve the draft policy. However,
The Ministry of Textiles, Government of India has released a Draft National Fibre
Policy (DNFP) on 7 th . June, 2010
General Comments
This draft fails to chart new frontiers and new directions. Pectoral strategies are absent.
There is no balanced integration of the concerns of various sub-sectors of Indian Textile
Sector. It is at loggerheads with the climate change goals of the Government of India.
There is an over emphasis in this Draft Policy to change the ratio between Cotton and
Man Made Fibre (MMF) consumption.
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The Draft selectively widens and narrows its scope. In the entire document, not even
once there is a mention of the National Textile Policy. It is at variance with other
Government policies. This Draft document is a mix of policies, schemes, measures and
programmes. Further there is no specific recommendation to reduce the cost of the fiber
as a raw material. The Draft does not come up with any new institutional mechanism
that has a mandate to integrate the concerns of all the textile fibers. The Draft Policy
fails to pinpoint the sectors who benefit from this policy. The document has not spelled a
coherent strategy which addresses the issues of the farmers. While farmers growing
Cotton have got more attention there is a passing remark for farmers who produce
various other natural fibers. The availability, price and quality of Cotton Seeds is a
major issue for the farmers. This has not been addressed properly.
It appears that this Draft is clearly opting for MMF related growth and as such this
cannot be termed as Fiber Neutral Policy.
There is inadequate linkage between the policy recommendations and financial
requirements. Allocations for farmers, as primary fiber producers, are not mentioned.
The fiscal burden of reducing duties on MMF and subsidizing MMF production has not
been mentioned. The impact of this Draft Policy on the national economy needs to be
worked out, specially in relation to energy investments.
This Draft endorses Genetically Modified (GM) Bt. Cotton without any substance. It does
not consider Bt. Cotton related contamination issues. Further this draft does not make
any effort to link the policies related to Cotton and Specialty Cotton. ( includes Organic
Cotton) Whereas it has spelt some important recommendations viz. Control of Cotton
Exports, Export Duty on Cotton Exports and constitution of an Inter-Ministerial
Committee of Secretaries. These recommendations have been applauded by the Cotton
based Textile Industry.
The expectations of the Handloom Sector have not been properly addressed in this Draft.
On this important sector, the draft merely reiterates the past positions and schemes of
the Government. There is no innovation in ideas & imagination in understanding the
issues and adequate response to serious life and death issues of Handloom Weavers.
This Draft does not even attempt to understand the conditions of Handloom Weavers
and is silent about the enhancing competitiveness of Handloom Weavers and rising
prices of their inputs.
There are various implications with the contemplated changes and the content of this
Draft National Fibre Policy. Eventually, Fine Cotton Fibre would be accessible only to the
rich classes and the economically backward people would have to fend with Man Made
Fibre. There is a possibility that the structure of the Industry would change. It would
become monolithic from the current diversified structure. This would have its impact on
the employment, which is a major concern in our country.
There will be two kinds of environmental implications – on environmental geography and
on human beings. Increased production of MMF would increase energy and chemical
consumption thus leading degradation of natural resources and lead to more pollution.
Users of MMF products may have health problems.
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It is suggested that special attention should be given to Natural Fibers. Viz. Cotton,
Silk, Jute, Wool and other non-conventional Fibers such as Linen, banana etc. There
has to be a long term vision and a structured approach to the fiber sector. Finding an
equitable balance between growth of different fibers and an assessment of how such
growth would impact on the user industry are important steps that need to be
addressed.
Together with other issues the National Fibre Policy should include strategies on
reduction in cost of production, promotion of Natural Fibre growth, enactment of Textile
Fibre Products Identification Act, establishment of A Natural Fibre Fund.
I once again suggest that a meeting of the “ Working Group To Formulate a
National Policy “ should be called at the earliest to discuss the Draft Policy before
the same is finalised.
With regards
Yours faithfully,
For Chamber of Textile Trade & Industry (COTTI)
Bulaki Das Mimani
Hony. Secretary.