Can the current government in Karnataka live up to the vision of Rahul Gandhi, for the textile industry, particularly jeans manufacturing, in Ballari?
Rahul Gandhi had visited Ballari during Bharat Jodo Yatra, and committed to enhancing its infrastructure. However, tangible changes on the ground are yet to be seen. At the same time, media reports suggest that MB Patil, the state’s industries minister, is actively engaged in devising a comprehensive strategy to support Ballari’s textile industry, with a particular focus on bolstering denim manufacturers.
“The industry is grappling with a multitude of challenges, and the 2022 surge in cotton prices was yet another setback,” remarked Vinayak Rao, the President of the Bellary Garment Manufacturers Association (BGMA). While the initial emphasis was on jeans production, these units now also manufacture uniforms and various other apparel items.
According to Mr. Rao, the pandemic exacerbated the challenges for numerous small units, leading many skilled workers to resort to livelihoods like selling vegetables or working as hawkers. While Ballari already possesses dyeing facilities, there are plans for a mega textile park in Kalburgi, which is situated more than 300 kms away from the state’s renowned mining heartland.
Connectivity remains a pressing concern for apparel makers in Ballari, who find it challenging to attract buyers compared to places like Bengaluru. Improved connectivity could significantly expedite business prospects, according to one of the industry representatives.
In addition to connectivity, these units seek cheap finance options and have proposed interest-free loans from the state government to ease their financial burden, as many of them are already servicing loans from traditional sources like banks.
However, the possibility of obtaining such financial assistance might be uncertain due to the strain on the state government’s resources, partially attributed to the implementation of the five guarantees.
Another vital aspect is marketing access, with denim makers emphasizing the need for support in marketing their products. As many units in Ballari are small-sized and lack strong marketing apparatus, they call for a marketing support system to boost their market reach.