योगी सरकार में मेरठ बना स्पोर्ट्स हब, खेल उद्योग को मिली नई उड़ान – meerut sports industry growth up government subsidy interest free loans ntcpvp utrath
The effect of the industrial and sports promotion policies of the Uttar Pradesh government is now clearly visible in the sports industry of Meerut. Meerut, once known only for cricket bats, is now emerging as the country’s largest multi-faceted sports goods hub. Initiatives taken by the government like up to 50 percent subsidy on machines, interest-free loans, ODOP (One District-One Product) scheme and Khelo India campaign have given new impetus to the industry. Along with this, a large number of women are also getting employment.
meerut Now, along with traditional wooden cricket bats, plastic and fiber cricket bats are also being manufactured on a large scale using modern technology. People associated with the industry say that amidst environmental protection and rising prices of wood, the demand for plastic bats is continuously increasing.
Charanjit Bhatia, owner of Buchi Sports, says that the two biggest centers of sports industry in the country are Meerut and Jalandhar. Earlier, the identity of Meerut was limited only to cricket goods, but now athletics, gymnastics, football, table tennis, carrom board and other sports goods are also being produced here on a large scale.
He said that the industry is getting direct benefits from the government schemes. Up to 50 percent subsidy is being given on installation of new machines and small industries have also got the opportunity to expand due to interest free loans. Recently his company installed a plastic bat making machine, on which it got the benefit of government subsidy.
According to Bhatia, earlier there were only four-five sports units in Meerut, whereas today about 5 to 7 thousand units, including small and big, are operating. It is estimated that the annual turnover of Meerut’s sports industry has reached Rs 15 to 20 thousand crores.
He told that 8 to 10 thousand plastic bats are prepared every day in his factory. Due to new technology, the weight of these bats has now become almost equal to wooden bats. Their demand is increasing rapidly in indoor cricket, box cricket and tennis ball cricket.
Aditya Mahajan, owner of BDM Sports, says that the Khelo India policy of the central and state governments has given a new identity to the sports industry of Meerut. Earlier, mainly cricket bats were manufactured here, whereas now badminton, tennis, table tennis, carrom boards, plastic sports products and other sports goods are being manufactured on a large scale.
He said that the interest free loan scheme of the state government has proved to be a big relief for small industries. No interest has to be paid for one year and even after that the interest rate remains very low. This has made expansion of industries easier. According to Mahajan, the government trained women by opening skill training centers in every village, which has yielded positive results. Earlier the participation of women in the sports industry was about one percent, which has now increased to 9 to 10 percent. Due to this, the shortage of workers in the industry has also been removed to a great extent.
He said that earlier there was dependence on wood coming from Kashmir and England to make cricket bats, but due to the expensive wood, now the demand for plastic bats has increased rapidly. At present, more than 50 units are manufacturing plastic cricket bats in Meerut and big brands of the country are also purchasing products from here.
Women working in the sports industry say that employment opportunities have increased in the last few years and safety and facilities at workplaces have also improved.
Vimlesh, a resident of Noornagar, told that she has been working in the factory for the last six months and now women are doing employment without any fear. Factory employee Anju said that earlier the number of women was very less, but now a large number of women are joining the industry. This employment is playing an important role in fulfilling the financial responsibilities of the family.
Shimla, who has been working in the sports industry for about 23 years, says that now the facilities have improved compared to earlier and the confidence of women has also increased. Every year new women employees are being recruited. Entrepreneurs associated with the industry say that the industry has got huge benefits from the government schemes, but in view of the rapidly growing business, now the need of the hour is to provide sports clusters and new industrial land. He believes that if this demand is fulfilled then Meerut’s sports industry can create a stronger identity at the global level.
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