AHEA blames SIPCOT for delaying Apparel Park

Chennai, Sept 22 (UNI) The Apparels and Handloom Exporters Association (AHEA) today alleged that work on Rs 26 crore international Apparel Park was not progressing well due to non-cooperation of State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (SIPCOT).

Talking to newspersons here, AHEA Vice President Prakash Sacheti alleged ''although our association has provided all necessary input including designs for the buildings to the SIPCOT, there is no progress at all.'' ''The grant given by the Centre has lapsed in March 2007 and the SIPCOT will not go ahead with the project until the grant is renewed or entrepreneurs pay for it,'' he added.

Mr Prakash said the units presently functioning at the park faced severe problems as the park lacked good roads and communication facility and sewerage lines.

On labour shortage, he said indiscriminate planning of industrialisation had created severe shortage of manpower.

''The garment units at the park have to send buses to over 50 km radius to bring workers and provide them with lunch,'' he said adding ''inspite of all these facilities being provided, we are unable to get full strength of workers.'' UNI