Union Textile Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar addressing the 'Make in India-Textile Industry- Strategy for Growth' function, organized by Indian Texpreneurs Federation ((ITF) yesterday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be dedicating eight garment units in the north eastern state in a month. Each of which will be set up at a cost of Rs18.18 crore, work for the units is going in full swing and will become operational in another one months time.

Gangwar on hearing the grievances and suggestions from ITF said that he would depute officials in the rank of Secretary or Joint secretary level or he himself will visit the city once in three months to learn and solve the problems faced by the industry, which plays a major role in the Indian economy.

On demands by the industry to rationalize duty on Man Made Fibre, abolition of Hank yarn Obligation and signing of Free Trade Agreements with European Union and emerging markets, he said that his ministry had already taken up the issue with the Commerce and Finance Ministries.

On problems due to effluent discharge and achieving Zero Liquid Discharge, Gangwar said that he would consult environment and pollution ministries and give feedback to the industry.

Gangwar also inaugurated a worker’s hostel in the park and an additional hostel block with 66 rooms, constructed at a cost of Rs6 crore, with 50 percent subsidy under Scheme for Textile Industry Workers Accommodation.

Earlier in the day, Gangwar visited Palladam High Tech Weaving Park, about 35 km from Coimbatore, as the centre showed keen interest on developing the technical textile sector in a big way.

Tamil Nadu textile industry, which is 127 years old, is focusing on manufacturing excellence, diversifying new markets, highest quality standards and new product innovation.

On industry status, Indian Texpreneuers Federeation Secretary Prabhu Dhamodharan said that Tamil Nadu is having one-third of Indian textile industry, contributing 60 percent to total yarn exports, having 47.5 percent of cotton spinning capacity and 30 percent of total cotton consumption in India. Moreover, its earns Rs 75,000 crore foreign exchange and Rs 30,000 crore value added garments and home textile exports per year.

Indian textiles sector on the whole has contributed 60 percent of cotton products and 40 percent of man-made fibre products, while it was the reverse in other countries.