Govt has targeted to create 10mn jobs - Textiles Minister

Leading entrepreneurs from all the segments of textile industry participated in the interaction meeting. Mr. A B Joshi, Textile Commissioner, Government of India welcomed the participants and gave introductory address briefing the current status of the entire gamut of textile industry of Karnataka and opened the interactive session.

Dr. Rao explained his vision for the competitive growth of the textile industry for achieving targets of 12th plan as under:

1. Undertaking appropriate National Fibres Policy and New Textile Policy.

2. Achieving a dominant global standing for India in the manufacture and export of textiles and clothing.

3. Create one crore employment opportunities in the entire textile and clothing value chain.

4. Strategic and time-bound action for building up most modern manufacturing capacity of Indian textile industry so that not only the visionary target of export could be achieved but we may address the growing demands of domestic markets and satisfy the needs of domestic consumers, which is growing fast among other countries of the world.

Several issues concerning the textile industry including continuation of Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS), cotton availability and prices, problems of silk powerloom weavers, setting up of yarn bank and common facility centres in powerloom clusters, problem of labour shortage were raised by the industry. Each of issues was addressed by the Textiles Minister.

Dr. Rao declared that the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme will be continued and necessary orders will by the Ministry of Textiles shortly. He also informed that he has understood the need for yarn banks and common facility centres for powerloom clusters and the same will be examined by the Ministry of Textiles on priority basis.

As regard to shortage of trained workforce, Dr. Rao assured that the matter shall be addressed in consultation with the State Government for providing the entrepreneurs necessary assistance for in-house training of manpower. Dr. Rao commended the contribution of garment industry of Karnataka in country’s precious foreign exchange earnings and for catering employment to large workforce, particularly social empowerment of women.

Dr. Rao requested the entrepreneurs of Karnataka to diversify into the manufacture of technical textiles which has huge potential for growth. The Textiles Minister requested the industry to build brand equity for the Indian Textiles in the world market.

He also informed that the Ministry of Textiles is implementing various developmental schemes for the growth of textile industry including Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS), Technology Mission of Technical Textiles, Group work shed scheme for powerloom weavers, Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks, Group Insurance Scheme for Powerloom Workers etc. and urged the textile industry to modernise the industry by availing the above schemes of the Ministry of Textiles.

Ministry of Textiles