Surat flood to affect textile business

Lucknow, Aug 10 (UNI) The recent deluge and subsequent flood in Surat -- a prominent textiles centre in the country -- is likely to affect textiles and related businesses.

''Although, the loss is yet not quantified, the flood will certainly affect the sector adversely,'' Rajiv Aggarwal, secretary, Textiles Committee, Government of India, told UNI here today.

He added the flood was causing delay in the physical movement of goods in-and-around Surat, which was the major cause of worry. All modes of transport, including the trains have been badly affected due to flood in Surat.

Meanwhile, flood water in Surat receded today after flooding the entire city for nearly last four days.

Water flow from Ukai Dam decreased to below six lakh cusecs per second, since this morning compared to seven lakh cusecs yesterday and over nine lakh on Tuesday.

Mr Aggarwal was in town to address a workshop on 'Strategies and Preparedness for Trade and Globalisation in India'.

The workshop was organised by UNCTAD, Government of India, Department for International Development (DFID) and an NGO, NEED.

It aimed at discussing ways to protecting Intellectural Property Rights through Geographical Indication Act, 1999 (that came into force in 2003) of world famous craftsmanship of Lucknow Chikan.

Addressing the workshop, he said a quality control tool 'Handloom Mark' had been unveiled recently by the centre, that aimed at giving common identity to handloom products in India, produced with hands and without using power.

''Only India has a surviving handloom industry in the world.

Earlier, Pakistan and Bangladesh also figured in this group, but over time, all such units in these countries closed down,'' he added.

The Textiles Committee has 30 offices in India, which gives a variety of services -- testing of fabrics, certification, market research and surveys -- to the sector to promote growth and augment exports.

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