Court order hits Tirupur textile industry: Rita Menon

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Namrata Kath Hazarika | 19 Jul, 2011
Textile Secretary Rita Menon Tuesday said that growth of the Tirupur textile industry has been hit hard by a recent Madras High Court order to close all dyeing and bleaching units, which were polluting the Noyyal River flowing through the textile city that generates a fifth of India's textile exports.

"We are very anxious about the export figure...the Tirupur slowdown is going to be badly affected. To an extent of 50 percent Tirupur textile growth has been affected due to closure," Menon told reporters in New Delhi after inaugurating an exhibition-cum-sale of exclusive Handicraft & Handloom products organised by Central Cottage Industries Corporation Of India Ltd under Ministry of Textiles.

Earlier on Monday, the Textile Secretary had visited Chennai and held discussions with Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Debendranath Sarangi and industry officials in this regard.

Expressing views on the meeting, She added, "We have discussed the time frame and additional technology that will be required to bring Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) on track to answer the needs of the honorable court ruling on zero liquid discharge. A time frame has also been set."

"There is a high level committee that I will be chairing. We have also formed a subcommittee but we have looked at all the technology options yesterday but request for fund has to come from Tamil Nadu government and then we will take a call." Menon opined.

Menon along with Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and other officers of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board will be representing the high level committee.

The Textile Secretary also added that they have not considered the issue at the moment but is likely to take it forward only when the Tamil Nadu government gives the Textile Ministry a formal proposal in written.

There are 18 Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) which would be supported by government's funding of Rs 9 crores per CEPT to facilitate it for additional technology upgradation and make them functional as per the order of the Tamil Nadu High Court, she added.

And the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has to willingly accept it, Menon also mentioned.

Mentioning further, she said, "The time frame to bring an experimental CEPT back on track is three months for a 50 per cent discharge (i.e the 50 percent capacity). But for the 100 percent capacity for individual CEPT on experimental basis with this technology would be about around 9 months."

"The process to achieve zero water pollution has already started. The Tamil Nadu government has given the tweak (i.e the Tamil Nadu water investment company to go ahead). The funds have to be look into and I would like a firm proposal from them," Menon added further.

These CETPs were set up with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore. Of the total funding, the Centre had given a grant of Rs 200-350 crore while the state government had contributed Rs 150 crore.

Further, speaking on the Handicraft and Handloom exhibition, Menon also added that the exhibition has special collection which is a must-see for all. It brings together 42 exhibitors who have participated to showcase distinct art, craft & textile tradition from different parts of the country.