Once adorned with flourishing cotton and silk mills, Tumkur in Karnataka is grappling with the gradual decline in its textile industry.

The textiles sector in Tumkur currently faces a multitude of challenges including labor shortages, dwindling exports, and bureaucratic red tape. In dire need of revitalisation, the industry in the Karnataka town is grappling with slow subsidies and pending approvals that continue to stunt growth and progress. Entrepreneurs in the town are clamoring for policy reforms as they strive to navigate through the adversity.

Hafeezur Rahman, Techmax Structurals, laments, the sector is impacted by labor shortages and escalating export rates. These challenges are further exacerbated by the allure of cheaper labor in countries like Bangladesh and China. Revitalisation of the sector is paramount to address the employment crisis and boost foreign exchanges in the town, asserts Rahman. He urges the government to strengthen the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the town to drive its economic growth.

Rahman opines, mere financial allocations from the government won't suffice. Rather, the state needs to introduce initiatives that aid enhance quality, modernisation, and workforce training within the industry. A dedicated special economic zone (SEZ) needs to be established to spur the sector’s growth, he adds.

Ronald, Business Head, MAF Clothing, underscores the challenges posed by water and land scarcity, which hamper crucial operations within the industry. He urges the government to offer robust wage incentives at the national level to attract and retain skilled laborers.

Prabhu SR, a Tumkur-based industry consultant, emphasises on the urgent need for policy implementation and timely disbursement of loans to rural businesses. Anchored by 18 firms, Tumkur's textile landscape with giants like Shahi Exports and MAF Clothing leading the charge, collectively employs thousands of laborers who shape the city's economic narrative.

Against this backdrop, Karnataka's new textiles and garment policy seeks to reposition the state as a premier destination for textiles and apparel in the country. With ambitious goals of stimulating the industry and creating half a million jobs within five years through investments worth Rs 10,000 crore, the policy signals a ray of hope for Tumkur's beleaguered textile sector.