(a) whether the Government is aware that the domestic textile industry has suffered huge losses on account of the import of used clothes from abroad;
(b) whether this has resulted in huge loss of foreign exchange also;
(c) whether the Government propose to impose restrictions on the import of used clothes; and
(d) if so, the details of the action being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF TEXTILES ( SHRI SHANKERSINH VAGHELA
(a) & (b) The imported used clothes compete unfairly with the domestic garment industry. The downstream spinning & weaving industry is also affected, as the local fabrics are not used. The import of used clothing have increased from Rs. 17.46 Crore in 1998-99 to Rs. 278.62 Crore in 2003-04.
(c)& (d) The Government has already imposed restrictions on the import of used clothes by bringing them under the ‘Restricted list of Imports’ vide Notification No. 7/2004-09 dated the 27th October, 2004 issued by Department of Commerce.