The pandemic continues to economically dent businesses. The textile market in Surat has been badly hit. The hub has about 50,000 weavers, 25,000 embroidery workers and 75,000 traders. In total, more than 15 lakh people are associated with the textile industry in one way or another.
The textile industry has a turnover of over 65,000 crore rupees but due to the pandemic, the demand reduced drastically. From the earlier yield of 4 crore meters of cloth per day, it is now 2.50 crore per day. Likewise, the market which once produced 10 lakh Indian flags during Republic Day, generated a mere two lakh pieces this year. Orders from Gujarat and states like Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh were lower this year, since gatherings continue to be banned.
“We used to get huge orders from state governments, central government, government offices, schools, and social organizations. There are four to five companies that make the flags as per the protocol and the specific requirements of a national flag. However, many hoisting ceremonies were called off because gatherings continue to be restricted,” briefed a market insider.
