Union Budget 2018 welcomed by Texprocil

The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL) Chairman Shri Ujwal Lahoti welcoming the budget said that it is pragmatic, growth oriented and all inclusive. Shri Lahoti expressed hope that the increased funds allocated for the textile sector will cover fabrics also under the ROSL scheme.

The Government had approved a comprehensive textile sector package of Rs. 6000 crore in 2016 to boost the apparel and made-up segments. The Budget has provided an outlay of Rs. 7148 crore for the textile sector in 2018-19.

According to Shri Lahoti, the Budget has increased the financial outlay under the comprehensive textile sector package for apparel and made ups from Rs. 6000 crore to Rs.7148 crore, this will promote exports and production in these two labour intensive sectors.

However, to promote exports of Cotton textiles, the Chairman TEXPROCIL urged the Government to cover yarn and fabrics under the MEIS and ROSL schemes respectively.

The Government will contribute 12 percent of the wages of the new employees in the EPF for all the sectors for next three years. Also, the facility of fixed term employment will be extended to all sectors. These measures will lead to employment generation and contribute significantly towards “Make in India”.

To incentivize employment of more women in the formal sector and to enable higher take-home wages, the Budget has proposed to make amendments in the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 to reduce women employees’ contribution to 8 percent for first three years of their employment against existing rate of 12 percent or 10 percent with no change in employers’ contribution.

Shri Ujwal Lahoti welcomed this measure as it will lead to employment opportunities for women in the textiles sector especially in the value added segments like garments and made ups.

The Budget has increased the funds allocation under the TUF Scheme from Rs. 2013 crores in 2017-18 to Rs. 2300 for 2018-19. This is a positive step and will help in clearing some of the committed liabilities under the TUF Scheme.

Shri Lahoti pointed out that the reduced income tax rate of 25 percent allowed to companies who have reported turnover up to Rs. 250 crore in the financial year 2016-17 will greatly benefit the micro, small and medium enterprises.

With regard to export marketing, the Department of Commerce will be developing a National Logistics Portal as a single window online marketplace to link all stakeholders. This is a positive step as it will provide marketing support to the small and medium-sized exporters besides reducing transaction cost.

The increased budget allocation for infrastructural developments and the encouragement provided to organized farming in the Budget are all steps in the right direction.