Implementation of Gujarat’s textile policy is likely to be hit owing to the recent unseasonal rains damaging cotton crop and better textile policies in other states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Rajasthan. "Gujarat has a focus on the spinning industry, which is good considering the cotton availability in the state. However, there are equally good textile policies announced by Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Earlier, we were planning to set up a unit in Gujarat but now we have decided to expand in Rajasthan alone," said J C Ladha, Executive Director of Rajasthan Spinning and Weaving Mills (RSWM).
Earlier at an international conference on cotton, Gujarat’s minister of state for energy, Saurabh Patel had said, "Gujarat's strength is cotton but we have to boost the spinning industry. Several industry representatives had met me seeking further benefits." In September 2012, the Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi had unveiled the ‘Gujarat Textile Policy 2012’ and had termed it as a 'White Revolution in Cotton'.
The Gujarat textile policy is looking at attracting investments of over Rs 20,000 crores as well as creating new employment opportunities for over 2.5 million people in the next five years. In comparison the Maharashtra policy looks to attract Rs 40,000 crores investments and create 1.1 million employment opportunities in the said period.
Experts believe a cheaper land bank may also give Maharashtra an edge over Gujarat in the textile policies. "Gujarat produces more cotton than Maharashtra but the difference is not much. Also, the land prices in Maharashtra are cheaper than Gujarat which may tilt it in the former's favour," said P R Roy, Founder of Diagonal Consulting, a textile consulting firm. "Considering the amount of unseasonal rains, there are chances of the same impacting cotton arrivals in the state. This may in turn impact spinning industry's plans in Gujarat which is a major focus in the textile policy," Roy added.
