Textile imports cause concern

MUMBAI, May 31: The Indian Cotton Mills8217; Federation ICMF has expressed concern over the rise in imports of textile products severely affecting the domestic industry.

During April 1997 and February 1998, there was a 19 per cent increase from Rs 1,129 crore to Rs 1,344 crore in the imports of textile products into the country, the ICMF president Deepak Parikh said here today.

He expressed surprise that the largest imports emanated from Nepal, not a significant producer of textile products, and China apart from a sizeable quantity of handloom sarees from Bangladesh. Parekh lamented that despite ICMF8217;s plea to government to provide a level playing field , no concrete action had been taken.