Textile firms in Ludhiana have requested the government to allow them to export the surplus PPE available with them. Around 12 textile firms certified to make PPE in Ludhiana are in fix as a central government designated nodal procurement agency of COVID-19 emergency supplies, Hindustan Latex Ltd (HLL), has temporarily halted new orders owing to issues concerning quality control.

These 12 firms were the HLL’s sole suppliers and had received orders to manufacture PPE suits in lakhs earlier. The decision will indirectly affect other vendors as well. HLL Lifecare is instructing these firms to pause their supplies for uncertain/ indefinite period which is forcing these manufacturers into financial and operational difficulties.