The Indian textile sector is the sixth-largest exporter of textiles and clothes in the world and the second-largest employer after agriculture, according to the Ministry of Textiles. To boost local weavers and artisans, the Modi Government has launched many initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and Vocal for Local.
Unveiling India’s annual budget for 2021-2022 on Monday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced “a new scheme to launch seven mega investment textile parks (MITRA)” around the country over three years.
These seven new mega textile parks will have state-of-the-art infrastructure, a research and development lab with integrated facilities, and a quick turnaround to minimise transport losses.
To benefit cotton and silk growers, Sitharaman also proposed to raise customs duty on cotton “from nil to 10 percent and raw silk and silk yarn from 10 percent to 15 percent”.
“There is a need to rationalise duties on raw material inputs to manmade textiles. We are now bringing nylon on a par with polyester and other man-made fibres. We are uniformly reducing the basic customs duty (BCD) on caprolactam, nylon chips and nylon fibre and yarn to 5 percent. This will help the textile industry, MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises), and exports, too,” Sitharaman added.
Industry Hails Government’s Move
Many industry stalwarts have welcomed this move by the government which aims to make India’s textile industry globally competitive, attract large investments and boost employment generation.
The launch of mega textile parks, Paras says, “will be a big boost to employment and continuity of indigenous crafts and skill sets. This is a big step towards India’s dream of becoming self-reliant.”
Anuj Mundra, chairman and managing director of Nandani Creation, says: “With a focus on Atmanirbhar Bharat, the announcement of the establishment of seven textile parks by the Modi government will not only boost the local textile industry but will also help India become a world leader in the textile sector. The government believes in giving a big shot in the arm to textiles and local manufacturing with a special focus on ‘Vocal for Local’ and encouraging people to buy Made in India products.”
Designer Gautam Gupta, of the label Asha Gautam, is hoping for “correct implementation of the scheme so that it will make the dream of Made in India a bigger reality” and Rajiv Rai Sachdev, chairman and managing director of Advantage Nature, believes that the state-of-the-art infrastructure and R&D labs will help to promote sustainable textiles.
With an idea to make India self-sufficient, Modi launched Atmanirbhar Bharat along with the initiative Vocal for Local that aims to encourage people not only to buy local products but to be outspoken about them and to promote them proudly.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
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