Latest news with #SGCCI
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
32,000 MSMEs get backdated electricity shock
Surat: In a development affecting more than 32,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in South Gujarat, businesses were hit with additional electricity charges for the past 12 months. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Industry sources say these charges will total Rs 60 crore and will affect textile units running operations such as weaving, rapier jacquard, embroidery and other industries that use low-tension maximum demand (LTMD) connections. The additional fees stem from peak hour charges, calculated at 0.45 paisa per unit above regular rates. According to DGVCL officials, the average supplementary bill amount is Rs 18,750, to be recovered from 32,000 users. Sources in industry said many users received supplementary bills for more than Rs 40,000. The delay in billing arose because Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (DGVCL) did not previously calculate peak hour charges, as the mechanism to collect time data on electricity consumption was not in place. DGVCL started installing new meters and upgrading its IT infrastructure to address this gap. The designated peak hours, according to DGVCL, are from 7am to 11am and 6am to 10pm. Textile units, which typically operate round the clock, are particularly affected, receiving substantial bills for peak hour usage. Conversely, units that do not operate during these hours have to pay less. DGVCL officials said they are complying with directives from the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC), which mandated the collection of these charges starting June 2024. "We could not collect the peak hour charges earlier as the system was not in place. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The meter configuration and IT system upgrade took time," said a DGVCL senior official. Following appeals by the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) to cabinet minister for energy Kanu Desai, the govt has allowed businesses to pay these charges in instalments without interest. "The minister tried to find a solution, but due to the GERC order, it cannot be reversed. Textile units are the most affected as we operate 24 hours," said Ashok Jirawala, vice-president of SGCCI. "The govt heard us positively and offered solutions, but the issue would not have been created if DGVCL had taken prompt action a year ago. The produced material has already been sold according to the cost calculated then, and in many cases, tenants have vacated rented units, so how does one recover the additional electricity charges," said Mayur Golvala, secretary, Sachin Industrial Co-Op Soc. "There must be a consistent policy related to industries so that we can focus on production and global competition. If we are affected by such unpredictable developments, it becomes difficult to operate," said Chetan Maniya, president of Rapier Jacquard Weavers Association. The rationale behind the peak hour tariff is to incentivise electricity use during periods of higher solar power production, typically the afternoons, thereby reducing reliance on conventional power sources during peak demand.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Diamond Task Force to promote Surat gems with renewed strategy
1 2 Surat: Amid the ongoing slowdown in global diamond markets, the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) on Friday announced the formation of a Diamond Task Force (DTF) to promote the gems and jewellery industry of the city. Dinesh Navadiya, chairman of the Indian Diamond Institute, was appointed chairman of the task force. The meeting discussed strategies to strengthen Surat's diamond and jewellery industry and the activities the DTF can undertake for this purpose. SGCCI president Nikhil Madrasi said, "DTF will focus on vendor development, foreign delegations, exhibitions, and conclaves to boost the growth of the city's diamond and jewellery industry. Events of the scale of the India Jewellery Show will be organised, along with two fashion shows and award functions during the year," Madrasi said. DTF aims to organize at least 10 events. He added that the DTF was formed for the holistic development of Surat's diamond and jewellery industry, technology upgradation, import-export facilitation, expansion into new markets, and increasing international demand. "Buyer-seller meetings and roadshows will be organised at the global level," said Ashok Jirawala, vice-president, SGCCI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Here's what a microbiologist says CNA Read More Undo Highlighting the priorities, Navadiya said, "DTF will develop branding and marketing strategies to boost demand for Surat's diamonds in domestic and international markets, while also providing guidance and support for skill development, innovation, and smart manufacturing." A diamond manufacturer, Pintu Dholakia, said, "DTF can facilitate delegations of diamond industry leaders to key mining locations." Dholakia highlighted the need to train youth in diamond cutting-polishing, designing, gemology, and finishing, with a focus on new technical processing methods. Short-term courses and workshops will be organized to strengthen the diamond and jewellery industry. President of SDA, Jagdish Khunte, noted that the DTF can help increase global demand for diamonds. LGDA president, Babu Vaghani, emphasized that Surat produces some of the finest jewellery globally, with minimal wastage. Hence, Surat's lab-grown diamond strategy can be promoted globally. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Surat Diamond Association (SDA), Lab-Grown Diamond Association (LGDA), Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), Surat Jewellery Manufacturers Association, Surat Diamond Bourse, Surat Diamond Brokers Association, Surat Diamond Traders Association, India Bullion and Jewellers Association, Varachha-Katargam Jewellers Association, Surat Jewellers Association, and Surat Jewellery Association.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
SGCCI submit demands related to QCO
Surat: In a meeting with senior officials of the textile ministry in New Delhi, various demands related to the quality control order (QCO) were discussed by officials of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI). The meeting was organised by the ministry, and various stakeholders were invited to discuss issues. The meeting was chaired by the commissioner of textile, M Beena. Representatives from textile machinery manufacturers and user industries from across India, the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), SGCCI, and others were present at the meeting. SGCCI was represented by vice president Ashok Jirawala, former presidents Vijay Mewawala and Ashish Gujarati, who submitted recommendations. It was suggested to the ministry that Europe, China, and Japan are the global leaders in textile machinery. To develop the textile machinery industry in India, it is necessary to study two factories each from Europe and China, and one from Japan. The study should cover how these manufacturers determine parameters for textile machinery design, the standard operating procedures they follow for manufacturing, the kind of facilities and locations they have for making machine components, if they have intellectual property protection for their sub-assemblies and components, and whether they have in-house laboratories to test machine performance parameters. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Neues Produkt hilft tausenden Deutschen bei Gelenkschmerzen Medizinmonitor Jetzt lesen Undo SGCCI suggested forming a task force to conduct this study, which should include members from the user industry as well. Additionally, to reduce the import of textile machinery, the SGCCI submitted suggestions that 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) approval should be given to top-level global original equipment manufacturers to start manufacturing in India. The central govt should formally invite them. SGCCI further suggested a production-linked incentive scheme should be introduced specifically for textile machinery manufacturing. Research and development facilities of large Indian companies should be leveraged to design world-class textile machinery in India. Manufacturing should take place through joint ventures with Surat's textile manufacturers. GST on textile machinery should not exceed 12%. Regarding impact assessment, the SGCCI stated that any funds utilised for the development of textile machinery in India should be evaluated by comparing the value of machinery developed domestically and the subsequent reduction in imports against the funds spent.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Centre defers QCO on textile machinery to 2026
Surat: The ministry of heavy industries, Govt of India, has extended the implementation of the Quality Control Order (QCO) on textile machinery to Sept 2026. The QCO was earlier scheduled to be enforced from August 2025, but various industry stakeholders, including textile manufacturers, had raised concerns. On August 28, 2024, the ministry had issued the Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order 2024, making the QCO mandatory for weaving and embroidery machines, including their assemblies and sub-assemblies. The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI), under the leadership of its immediate past president Vijay Mevawala, had made several representations to the Centre. "This will benefit the industry, and the growth cycle will continue in the textile sector in the region. We thank the govt for considering trade and industry's viewpoint," said Mevawala. SGCCI president Nikhil Madrasi added, "This decision enables Indian manufacturers to produce high-speed weaving and embroidery machinery on par with imported ones, furthering the ' Make in India ' vision." Recently, SGCCI vice-president Ashok Jirawala, former president Ashish Gujarati and other industrial bodies met Union minister for heavy industries HD Kumaraswamy in New Delhi to urge deferment of the QCO. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 5 Dividend Stocks for May 2025 Seeking Alpha Read Now Undo They argued that Surat, the country's largest MMF textile hub, annually imports 2,500 to 4,000 high-speed weaving and embroidery machines, many of which are not yet made domestically. Given that MMF continues to dominate textile investments — particularly in waterjet, airjet, and rapier machines — the industry had sought time until domestic manufacturing capacity matched import quality. The Centre's latest decision comes as a major relief for the sector. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Nikhil Madrasi sworn as 79th SGCCI president
S urat: Nikhil Madrasi was sworn in as the 79th president of The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) at a formal oath-taking ceremony held on Friday evening. The installation of office bearers for the year 2025–26 also saw Ashok Jirawala assume the role of vice-president. In his address, Madrasi announced Bijal Jariwala as the honorary secretary and Mitish Modi as the honorary treasurer. He also introduced Mayuri Mevawala as the new chairperson of the ladies wing. Madrasi underlined his commitment to building stronger synergies between industry and government. "SGCCI and the government are like two sides of the same coin when it comes to trade and industrial development," he remarked. He pledged active participation in government-led initiatives and assured that SGCCI would take responsibility and collaborate wherever possible to ensure seamless progress in the sector. Laying out his vision for the year ahead, Madrasi said a strong emphasis would be placed on value addition and export-oriented growth in the textile industry—particularly in garments, technical textiles, and high-value products. He noted that the upcoming PM MITRA Park near Navsari would be a potential game-changer for the sector and promised efforts to fast-track its operationalisation. He highlighted plans to further strengthen Surat's diamond industry, reinforcing the Chamber's role as a catalyst for industrial innovation and international trade expansion. Dignitaries who attended the event included Ashishkumar Chauhan, managing director and CEO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Dhaval Patel, Lok Sabha whip and Valsad MP, and Anupam Singh Gahlaut, city police commissioner. Outgoing president Vijay Mevawala presented a detailed account of the chamber's key achievements during his tenure in 2024–25. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
