Surat Weavers Unite Against MIP & ADD on Imported Nylon Yarn

Surat | Gujarat — In a sharp escalation of the ongoing MIP and ADD on imported nylon yarn controversy, at least 12 weavers’ associations from Surat and other parts of the country have formally lodged written objections with the government, opposing any move to impose Minimum Import Price (MIP) and Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD).

With a crucial meeting scheduled on March 6 before the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), the textile hub of Surat is witnessing what industry insiders describe as a decisive battle between weavers and spinners.

The protest was triggered after the government extended the ADD review period by three months. Following this, Mayur Golwala, Secretary of Sachin Industrial Co-Operative Society and a prominent Surat weavers’ leader, circulated a detailed email to 35 associations and nylon yarn users nationwide. The letter, backed by statistical data presented earlier during a video conference, claims that domestic yarn manufacturers are not suffering losses due to imports and are instead reporting “huge profits.”

“The representation made by the spinners to impose MIP and ADD is completely wrong and baseless,” Golwala alleged. “If MIP and ADD are imposed, the quality and competitiveness of nylon yarn made on simple machines will go down in history. This is an attempt to create monopoly and blackmail the weaving sector.”

Among the associations that have declared support are the Knitters Association of Western India, South Gujarat Warp Knitters Association, Surat Nylon Weavers Association, Narrow Fabrics Association-Surat, Man Made Sizers Association-Surat, and several yarn users including Jigisha Fibres Pvt. Ltd., Element Knits, and Pratimaan Textile.

Weavers argue that past regulatory measures, such as BIS norms on polyester, had already caused widespread disruption and unemployment in the textile sector. “Lakhs of weaving machines were forced to shut down earlier, yet we never demanded protection from the government,” Golwala said. “Now spinners are spreading false narratives of financial distress.”

Backing the protest, Mayur Chevali, President of Nylon Weavers Association-Surat, questioned claims that three companies shut down due to imported nylon yarn. “Praful Company reportedly showed a loss of ₹150 crore on ₹280 crore turnover, but insiders say it closed due to financial mismanagement. JCT shut down because it failed to upgrade outdated 6- and 8-end machines while the market runs on 24-end winders,” he stated.

Weavers also allege that some spinners opposing imports are themselves importing nylon yarn. “If importers are making profits, others are free to enter the business,” Chevali remarked. “Targeting them only hands monopoly power to a few.”

According to industry estimates, domestic spinners produce nearly 9,500 tonnes of nylon yarn monthly, while imports account for only 1,500–2,000 tonnes. Weavers argue this data contradicts claims of large-scale financial losses.