In an interaction with members of Merchants' Chamber of Commerce and Industry through a webinar, Union textiles minister Smriti Irani urged the industry to reorient itself and not depend financial packages from the government as its finances are already under strain due to coronavirus pandemic. Irani cited the example of JCT group in Punjab which had sought support to ferry the samples of PPEs to a laboratory in Aurangabad for testing during the lockdown and the government had helped the firm for this.

She told members of the city-based industry body that the government’s job is making policy and provide support and it has been doing its best to support all. The Reserve Bank of India has already given relaxations and banks are supporting businesses to tide over the crisis.

Irani said the textiles ministry is in discussion with the West Bengal government to work out a plan to help the jute industry. Farmers need 4,500 million tonne of certified jute seeds to improve quality of the golden fiber, and only a part of this is available now.