"This is the first time that the government has acknowledged the proposal that the research organisations have been putting forth since 1983," said Chandrahas K Thackersey - the new chairman of BTRA. There are five main textile research bodies - viz., Ahmedabad Textile Research Association (ATIRA), Bombay Textile Research Association (BTRA), South India Textile Research Association (SITRA), North India Textile Research Association (NITRA) and Silk & Art Silk Mills' Research Association (SASMIRA).

All these cater to the textile industry's need for testing various parameters relating to quality, eco-standards and cleanenvironment. They also provide solution to the manufacturers' operational problems as well as undertake research projects.

However, the research equipment is very old and is in dire need of replacement to keep abreast of the current technology. The internal resources are just about enough for small budget replacements. But it is impossible to acquire modern equipment worth crores of rupees without government aid.

"On a rough reckoning, each of the five research bodies would need Rs 4-5 crore i.e., Rs 20-25 crore" says Dr BN Bandyopadhyay, director of BTRA. However, he was not very confident of ultimately getting funds of this magnitude. The associations will be assessing their requirement of funds before putting up the proposal to the government.

Speaking on the occasion, the BTRA outgoing chairman Dr Mohanlal Piramal pointed out that in the context of globalisation, efficiency and competitiveness, there is a pressing need to reorient research activities which will help manufacturing units to improvetheir working. Though the association mainly caters to Mumbai's composite mills, it had also begun research in jute five years ago and lately in the powerloom sector.

It has been chosen by the Powerloom Development & Export Promotion Council (Pdexcil) to assist powerlooms in Ichalkaranji, Solapur and Madhavnagar in upgrading their operations.

BTRA, which has a strength of about 150 scientists, gave awards for research work in recognition of their dedicated efforts to the technological upgradation.