MANTRA Flags SGCCI Conflict of Interest Over Giriraj Singh Invite

SURAT: A turf tussle appears to be brewing between two prominent textile industry bodies in Surat, with the Man-Made Textiles Research Association (MANTRA) alleging a conflict of interest involving the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) over Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh’s visit to the city.

MANTRA president Rajnikant Bachkaniwala, addressing a press conference on Tuesday, said Singh had already confirmed his attendance as chief guest at MANTRA’s 49th foundation day celebration on October 9 when SGCCI subsequently stepped in to invite the Union minister to its own programme.

Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh is scheduled to visit Surat on Friday, October 9, 2026, where he will attend ‘Reform Utsav’ organised by SGCCI at SIECC and interact with leaders from the man-made fibre (MMF) textile sector.

Bachkaniwala termed the development a “conflict of interest” and questioned the timing of SGCCI’s intervention.

“The Union Textile Minister had already confirmed his attendance at MANTRA’s 49th foundation day programme. He is supposed to visit the factories, jari units and textile machinery manufacturing units during his two-day visit. After this confirmation, SGCCI jumped on the bandwagon and invited the minister. We see this as a clear conflict of interest,” Bachkaniwala said.

MANTRA will mark completion of 49 years and entry into its 50th year with a special programme at Hotel Marriott, Surat, from 4 pm on October 9. Senior officials from the Ministry of Textiles and the Office of the Textile Commissioner are also expected to attend.

Bachkaniwala highlighted Surat’s position as a major integrated man-made textile hub, spanning yarn, weaving, processing, dyeing, printing, embroidery, garmenting and technical textiles. He said the sector provides direct and indirect employment to around 18-20 lakh people and has a production capacity of nearly six crore metres of fabric daily.

MANTRA director Dr Pankaj Gandhi outlined the association’s research projects, technical services and R&D initiatives undertaken over the past 49 years. He stressed the need for Surat’s textile industry to shift towards sustainable, smart, technical and higher-value products.

“Surat’s next phase cannot be limited to higher production. Research, testing, certification, sustainability and technical textiles must drive the industry forward,” Gandhi said.

MANTRA secretary Prafulbhai Gandhi and other office-bearers were also present at the press conference.