The National Institute of Fashion Technology(NIFT) finally received a green signal from Union Textiles Minister Smriti Zubin Irani to set its foot in Panchkula,Haryana. Describing textile as the second largest employment giving sector after agriculture, the minister said that the Haryana government had received investment proposals worth Rs 7 lakh crore from prospective investors.

So, the Union government would give all kinds of support for execution of the agreements Haryana had entered into for development of textile industries. The Union government would assist Haryana in developing silk weaving units in Panipat, Ambala, Sirsa and Panchkula.

Speaking on the occasion, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar said though land had been allotted, the NIFT Centre awaited completion due to disputes between leaders of the previous government. He said that they have decided to execute all pending works. Apart from NIFT, work has also been started on four-laning of the National Highway-73 and the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway.

Haryana has become a preferred destination for investment among entrepreneurs due to various facilities provided by the government. The CM claimed that the scope of textile industry in the state, especially in the Ambala, Panchkula, Panipat, Sirsa and Fatehabad districts, would be enhanced.

The NIFT centre would be completed in two years and the students enrolled would get guidance from international experts as the centre has agreement with 32 global institutes. It would come up in an area of more than 10 acre in Panchkula on a cost of Rs 100 crore.

Six regular degree courses are being offered.These include a four-year Bachelor of Design with major in fashion design or textile design, four-year Bachelor of Fashion Technology with major in apparel production, two-year Master of Fashion Technology, two-year Master of Design, two-year Master of Fashion Management and certificate programme of one-year-and-six-months as a part of the continuing education programme.

The upcoming centre would cater to the needs of 230 students every year out of which 20% seats would be reserved for the domiciles of Haryana.