The Dyestuff Manufacturers’ Association of India (DMAI) has called for technology upgrade for improving existing products, invent new products and for better technology for treatment of effluents.

\"Technology upgrade is the need of the hour for improving existing products, invent new products and for better technology for treatment of effluents,\" the association said in its action plan for the 12th Five Year Plan.

\"Concern for safety, health and environment is ever increasing. Besides, customer expectations in terms of various quality parameters are rising. There is also a need to conserve and make optimum use of natural resources, adopt energy saving measures, etc. The need for research and development in these fields is of paramount importance,\" it said.

According to DMAI, government support is required in the form of setting up a dedicated fund to encourage R&D activities by the industry and educational institutes immediately without delay.

\"Availability of UNIDO funds should be explored. Further, 200 per cent depreciation on investments in R&D, allowing duty free import of laboratory equipment, sponsoring international and national seminars on exchange of information on latest technology developments etc., are other areas of government support,\" it said.

The DMAI also requested the government to earmark Rs 50 crore for starting R&D work in the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector, saying the modalities of disbursal of this amount can be worked out together by the government and the industry.

These funds may be utilised for improvement in unit processes, adopting greener technology, carrying out R&D to pollution control treatment etc, it said.

According to the DMAI, the direct benefits of this scheme will be two-fold:

1. Pollution will be reduced substantially, and

2. The competitiveness of the Indian manufacturers will increase thereby allowing the industry to get a higher market share in the global trade.