E-Paper
Exporters complain but govt thinks everything is fine
EXPORTERS AND the government agencies handling the export trade raked up the difficulties coming in the way of developing favourable export culture in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Whereas the exporters raised issues like poor power scenario, non-existent export culture and also nailed government for inadequate steps for promotion of exports from this region, representatives of government agencies tried to present a rosy picture of the export scenario.
EXPORTERS AND the government agencies handling the export trade raked up the difficulties coming in the way of developing favourable export culture in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Whereas the exporters raised issues like poor power scenario, non-existent export culture and also nailed government for inadequate steps for promotion of exports from this region, representatives of government agencies tried to present a rosy picture of the export scenario.
Interestingly, as usual the government officers focused on ‘unending policies’, ‘schemes’ and ‘official meetings’ as the best method to satisfy the export traders, which, according to the exporters, never see light of the day so far as enhancement in exports was concerned.
Divisional commissioner of Varanasi, VV Singh Vishven, who was the chief guest on the occasion, did try to highlight the plight of the people associated with foreign trade but that also did not cut much ice.
The open house discussion was organised on ‘The Present Scenario of Handloom Exports’ by the Eastern UP Exporter’s Association (Varanasi) in collaboration with The Handloom Export Promotion Council (Chennai). The programme seemed more academic than a practical way of touching the issues confronting the weavers community and other workers whose tremendous role in exports generally remain unaddressed.
One senior government officer of the Industries department did try to strike at the root cause of the weavers plight, but all efforts were made by his seniors to gag him. “The State government announced concessional power tarrif for weavers, but where is the power?”, he questioned. Senior officers including the divisional commissioner felt uncomfortable.
However, the organisers presented a memorandum to the divisional commissioner enlisting some suggestions required for promotion of handloom in India and abroad.
It was suggested that the platform of Tourism ministry should be utilised for promotion of India as the motherland of handloom, organising Festivals of India in new countries of East Europe and the Latin America along with traditional buyers such as West Europe and America.
