Maharashtra to unveil new textile policy

04 Jul '11

1 min read

Maharashtra is considering giving subsidy to powerloom and handloom sectors under the State's first ever textile policy, which is likely to come up before the State Cabinet for approval this month.

The government is considering offering subsidy to promote powerloom and handloom sectors, especially in the two cotton growing regions of Vidarbha and Marathwada, according to the State Minister for Textiles, Naseem Khan.

The textile policy aims to ensure that the entire cotton produced in the State gets processed locally, creating employment opportunities for about 1.2 million people.

Presently, most of the 9.2 million bales (1 bale = 170 kg) of cotton produced in the State is sent to the neighbouring States of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh for processing.

The government has identified 17 districts in the State as main cotton growing regions. In these districts, processing of cotton by cooperative and private sectors will be encouraged, once the textile policy is implemented. Besides generating employment, the government hopes that the new textile policy will add to the State's revenue.

The State's textile policy will be in addition to the Union Government's Technical Upgradation Fund Scheme, which will be applicable to the textiles industry.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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