Textile traders’ body sends wish list to FM: ‘Textile varsity in Surat, funds for R&D’

In the letter to Sitharaman, the trade association sought funds for research and development purposes.  The traders have also demanded that Surat be given a special textile university in the coming Budget so that the youths of Surat can “make new and creative contributions to this industry, thereby helping meet international standards and compete in the international market.”

Other demands include amendments to the MSME Portals and the Income Tax Act, as some sections in both portals “create confusion” among the traders.

The trade industry has called for a simplification of the GST (Goods and Services Tax) system.

Kailash Hakeem, president, Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association, said, “With over 75,000 textile trading shops in Surat…. We have great hope for the coming Budget. Our main demand is that the Centre should do something for Research and Development (R&D) activities and setting up of Textile University in Surat.  Today, we have to compete with the global market, so the government should make a special budget for Surat for Research and Development and universities.”