Montek asks exporters to seek President's help

GURGAON: When apparel exporters met Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Tuesday seeking government help to deal with problems arising out of recession in major global markets, they were advised to reach out to President Pratibha Patil.

Ahluwalia asked apparel exporters to meet the President with a "representation" after the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) informed him that 80 per cent of the workforce in apparel-making in south India were women.

"You should make a representation to the President (Pratibha Patil). She is very keen on empowering women," Ahluwalia said at the inauguration of the India International Garment Fair (IIGF) here.

Referring to the garment exporters' demands including changes in taxation, Ahluwalia said these issues can be dealt with only in a regular budget. But the government would present to Parliament only a vote-on-account in February.

"Exporters' demands relate to major changes in taxation. Very soon there would be an election notification. The vote-on-account would be presented in the middle of February. These issues can be addressed during full budget, (though) these are important," he said.

Ahluwalia, along with Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath and Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar, will hold comprehensive consultations with heads of 26 export promotion councils and eight commodity boards tomorrow to see what more the government can offer to the distressed sector.

While the government has announced measures for helping exporters, the exporting community remains by and large disappointed.

Ahluwalia hoped the situation would improve in the near future. "The year 2008-09 had been unusual. It is a temporary phase and the government is serious," he said.