COIMBATORE: Tamil Nadu industries minister S Keerthana on Saturday indicated that the state would take favourable steps to improve ease of doing business, including constituting a policy advocacy committee with participation from major industry stakeholders, after a textile industry meeting convened by the Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA).SIMA hosted the interaction at its office with office-bearers of textile associations representing the entire value chain in Tamil Nadu. MLAs Kanimozhi Santhosh (Kavundampalayam), N M Sukumar (Sulur) and K S Sri Giri Prasath (Singanallur) were among those who attended.Industry representatives flagged mounting cost pressures, led by power tariffs and other input expenses, saying the state’s textile sector — estimated by SIMA to account for nearly one-third of India’s textile business — has faced sustained stress in recent years. The sector highlighted raw material constraints, noting Tamil Nadu produces only about 3-4% of its cotton requirement and has no man-made fibre manufacturing facility within the state.SIMA said the industry’s ability to sustain operations has depended on manufacturing efficiency and entrepreneurship. It cited two steps taken after chief minister C Joseph Vijay assumed office: recommending to the Centre exemption of cotton from the 11% import duty during the off-season and refraining from implementing a proposed 3.48% electricity tariff hike. SIMA said the measures helped units meet export commitments and recover from the downturn.At the meeting, Keerthana assured associations that their demands would be taken up with the chief minister and acted upon in a time-bound manner. She acknowledged the need to address power-related issues and problems faced by textile processing units, described as a weak link in the value chain.SIMA chairman Durai Palanisamy sought policy reliefs, including annual banking for post-2018 windmills for captive users, night-time adjustment of surplus solar power, waiver of penal interest on pending deemed demand charges, freezing demand charges at Rs 608 per kVA per month for three years, withdrawal of network charges for rooftop solar and a 10-year exemption from cross-subsidy and additional surcharges for open access power for new investments. He sought a long-term, cost-competitive solution for treatment and disposal of textile effluents.EOM
