The Maharashtra state government has extended the deadline for textile operators to register their establishments on the online portal of the state textile commissionerate by three months. This decision comes after the initial six-month deadline for mandatory registration, required to avail the government's power subsidy, ended on April 27.
Lukewarm Response to Registration
On April 15, it was reported that the response from textile operators had been lukewarm, resulting in poor registrations. Out of approximately 55,000 textile units in Maharashtra, the largest textile hub in India, only about 9,500 units had registered, with most of them from the cooperative sector.
Industry Demands for Simplification
Industry representatives across the state had urged the government to simplify the online registration process. The revised form was made available on April 7, leaving operators with barely 20 days before the initial deadline expired. Many textile operators could not complete registration by April 26, prompting the government to extend the deadline by another three months.
Government Resolution Details
A government resolution issued on Wednesday stated, "Since many textile operators could not complete registration by April 26, the government has decided to extend the deadline by another three months. Registration through the portal is mandatory. Failure to do so will result in automatic withdrawal of the power subsidy."
Significance of Power Subsidy
The textile sector receives substantial support from the state, with nearly 40% of its electricity consumption subsidised. Annually, around Rs 1,800 crore in power bills is waived. The online registration system was introduced to curb subsidy leakages and ensure benefits reach genuine beneficiaries. However, the response from textile operators has remained largely apathetic.
