Government to expand technology mission; set up more textile parks
24 Jun 2009
The government will deepen the coverage of Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS), expand the scheme of integrated textiles parks (SITP) and constitute a working group on National Fibre Policy to boost the textile sector in the country.
Over the next 100 days the textile minister proposes to provide a platform for e-marketing of handlooms and handicrafts, accelerate the revival and modernisation of the National Textile Corporation (NTC) mills, expand the coverage of health insurance scheme for weavers and artisans, impart momentum to the Artisans Credit Card Scheme, textile minister Dayanidhi Maran said in a release today.
Three mills, viz, Tata Mills, India United Mill No5 and Podar Mills in Mumbai will be inaugurated in August 2009. These composite mills have been modernised by NTC at a cost of Rs73.10 crore.
Coimbatore Murugan Mills in Tamilnadu, has been modernised at a cost of Rs7.61 crore.
Cambodia Mills, a spinning mill in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, has been modernised at a cost of Rs13.04 crore.
Pankaja Mills, a spinning mill in Coimbatore, Tamilnadu has been modernised at a cost of Rs16 crore.
Sri Rangavilas S&W Mills in Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, has been modernised at a cost of Rs27.70 crore.
"The textiles sector is the second largest employer after agriculture, accounts for 13.50 per cent of the total merchandise export earning and 4 per cent of the GDP," the release noted.
The textiles industry in the country is passing through a challenging phase and the 100-day action plan is aimed at empowering various institutions in the ministry and the industry to embrace modern technology and work processes; become more globally competitive; build strong brand equity for its products; and consistently achieve higher growth rates than ever in its long history," the release said.
These initiatives will maximise the productivity and welfare of stakeholders, the minister said.
