Meerut, June 24 (KNN) Meerut which is referred to as one of the biggest iconic sports goods market all over the world is unaffected by the government run One District One Product (ODOP) scheme which had been set in motion by Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to boost the dying traditional industries in the state.

In fact according to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the sport goods manufacturing industry, they have been a victim of the poor implementation of the ODOP scheme and have not affected them much, moreover they are lagging behind.

The industry experts, however, are taking the announcement with a pinch of salt because of its poor implementation.

Meerut is the hub of sports goods industries and cluster in particular, is popular for weight-lifting equipments, athletics equipments, boxing equipments, table tennis, badminton, carrom board, fitness and exercise equipment, lane markets, basket ball, netball rings, table tennis accessories and sports apparel.

Of all these goods that are manufactured, the most popular among them are the cricket bats. The city accounts for nearly 70% of the total domestic produce and are manufactured at low-roofed cottage industries located in the city.

The goods produced here are quite popular in the country as well as abroad. Small and medium scale units are engaged in producing sports goods.

With regard to ODOP implementation in the city, KNN India spoke to Rakesh Mahajan, General Secretary of All India Sports Goods Manufacturer federation.

He stated “ODOP scheme is implemented for our wellbeing, but we don’t see any positive changes. This scheme is all on paper and it is absolutely not affecting us, moreover we lack.”

“We have been badly hit by Goods and Service Tax (GST) and we are trying to recover from that. Such announcements drown in political fanfare in due course” said Prem Sagar Mahajan, former president of the All India Sports Goods Manufacturers Federation and now a patron of the organization.

ODOP was set in motion to optimize production, productivity and income, preservation and development of local crafts, promotion of art, improvement in product quality and skill development.

During the launch of the ODOP, President Ram Nath Govind had said “Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are proving to be the backbone in the nation’s economy. We should learn from some developed countries how things made by hand can be highlighted through modern day banding and marketing and help the nation in earning foreign investment, more employment and improving the image of the country. This ODOP scheme will further strengthen the spine.”

But Meerut’s sports good industries have not seen any improvement due to this scheme, which is specially designed to boost the industry. (KNN/Lavannya)