The new textile policy is at the draft stage now, Textiles Minister Smriti Irani informed parliament lower house recently in a written reply. She said the policy is being formulated by holding widespread consultations with various associations, industry bodies, states and other stakeholders, representing sub-sectors like cotton, silk, jute, handloom, handicrafts and power loom. The policy is expected to help promote exports and generate employment, she said.
In a separate reply, she said during the current cotton season 2020-21, (from October 2020 to September 30, 2021), as on February 6, Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has procured 90.87 lakh bales under the minimum support price (MSP) operations.
“CCI is procuring around 25,000 to 30,000 bales per day in the cotton growing areas wherever the prevailing kapas prices are ruling below MSP,” she was quoted as saying.
The Minister said certain Indian textile products are listed in the US Trafficking Victims Protection Re-authorisation Act (TVPRA) child labour/ forced-labour List 2020. She added that steps have been taken through Embassy of India in the US for delisting of such products.
