From receiving proposals under PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) to investment under Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, 2022 was an eventful year for India’s ministry of textiles. In addition, 74 research proposals were approved under the National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM), the ministry said in its year-end review.
Some of the key initiatives and achievements of the ministry in the year 2022 are:
• PLI Scheme: The Indian government has launched the PLI Scheme with an approved outlay of ₹10,683 crore to promote production of MMF apparel, MMF fabrics and products of technical textiles in the country to enable the textiles industry to achieve size and scale and to become competitive. Applications under PLI scheme for textiles were received through web portal from January 1, 2022, to February 28, 2022. A total of 67 applications were received, of which the Selection Committee chaired by Secretary (Textiles) selected 64 applicants. As of now, 56 applicants have completed the mandatory criteria for formation of a new company and approval letters have been issued to them. Investment to the tune of ₹1,536 crore approximately has been made so far. Quality Control Order w.r.t VSF (viscose staple fibre) is under issuance.
• PM MITRA: The government had approved setting up of seven PM MITRA parks to develop world class infrastructure including plug and play facility with an outlay of ₹4,445 crore for a period up-to 2027-28. The guidelines in respect of scheme have been published and there have been multiple interactions with state governments for inviting proposals. In response, 18 proposals from 13 states have been received. Subsequently, “a national conference was organised in May for discussion on proposals with senior officers from state governments and industry associations. Evaluation of proposed PM MITRA park sites was done through Gati Shakti portal to understand locational advantage. As of now detailed scrutiny for selection of sites through challenge matrix is underway,” the textiles ministry said.
• National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM): Under NTTM, 74 research proposals valuing Rs. 232 cr have been approved in the category of speciality fibre and technical textile. For market development and promotion of technical textiles, 4 major conferences were organised viz. (i) International conference with CII in Delhi on March 12, (ii) Conference on Geotech and Agrotech with ICC at Imphal on August 23, (iii) National conclave on protective textiles on November 16 at Delhi, and (iv) International conference with CII and the government of Tamil Nadu on November 25-26 in Chennai. 31 new HSN codes have been developed in the technical textiles sector. The Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) has been assigned the role of export promotion council for technical textiles.
• Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS): Investment of Rs. 10,218 crore confirmed by the industry in 2,443 subsidy cases. A total of Rs. 621.41 cr subsidy was released in 3,159 cases under ATUFS, and special campaigns were organised at major clusters for settling backlog cases, the Ministry said.
• SAMARTH: A total of 73,919 persons (SC: 18,194, ST: 8,877 and Women: 64,352) have been provided training of which 38,823 persons were provided placement under SAMARTH – Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector.
• National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT): A new campus at Daman was made operational for the academic session 2022-23. Moreover, new campus buildings for Bhopal and Srinagar are also coming up.
• Silk Sector: The total raw wilk production was 28,106 MT. R&D projects numbering 44 were initiated and 23 were concluded with the achievement of training 9,777 persons in various activities related to silk sector.
• Jute Sector: JUTE-ICARE (Improved Cultivation And Advanced Retting Exercise) Scheme covering 170 jute growing blocks with 1,89,483 hectare had benefitted 4,20,309 jute farmers. Export performance has improved due to Market Development & Promotion Scheme (MDPS). Export performance rose by 38 percent from the last year with current value at Rs. 3,786 cr. The value of exported jute diversified products is Rs. 1,744 cr with increasing trend by 46 per cent from the last year. A total quantity of around 26.87 lakh bales of jute bags worth Rs. 9,800 cr (approx.) have been indented.
• Cotton Sector: Cotton cultivation increased by 5 per cent to 125.02 lakh hectare as against 119.10 lakh hectare during last year. Brand named KASTURI COTTON INDIA for Indian cotton has been launched to encourage mechanised harvesting of cotton, improving quality of cotton and to reduce labour cost. Further 75,000 handheld kapas (raw cotton) plucker machines are being distributed.
• Wool Sector: Projects to Animal/Sheep Husbandry Department, Leh have been approved of revolving fund of Rs. 2 cr for procurement of pashmina wool, distribution of 400 portable tents to nomads of Leh in order to improve living conditions. Further construction of 300 predator proof corrals for safety of pashmina goat along with project to procure 50 sheep shearing machines for Uttarakhand has been approved.
• Handloom Sector: Financial assistance of ₹76.60 crore has been provided to 91 handloom clusters. 1,109 weavers were provided improved looms and accessories under Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata (HSS). Skill up-gradation training was imparted to 2,107 handloom workers under Handloom Clusters of National Handloom Development Programme. Assistance amounting to Rs. 18.49 cr has been released for 141 marketing events. Moreover, assistance of ₹10.40 crore has also been released for various activities sanctioned to Mega Handloom Clusters under Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme. 102.05 lakh kg of yarn was supplied under transport subsidy component, 73.79 lakh kg of yarn supplied under-price subsidy component and a total of 175.84 lakh kg of yarn was supplied under Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS).
• Handicrafts Sector: A total of 272 marketing events were organised, benefiting 19,330 artisans. Pahchan cards were issued to 30 lakh artisans and were uploaded on public domain. 52 artisan Producer Companies were formed and supported. 418 training programme and design workshops were conducted benefiting 12,480 artisans. Modern toolkits were distributed to 13,579 artisans. Shilp Guru and National Awards for the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 were awarded to 108 artisans.
