Smriti Irani takes charge of Textiles Ministry as Prime Minister Narendra Modi shows faith in her capabilities. She thanked Prime Minister for allocating her a portfolio which is of great importance to the rural economy of the nation.

Smriti said that she was happy to have been given an opportunity in the textile sector especially when a special package (of Rs 6,000 crore for the apparel segment) has been announced for the sector.

She is hopeful that the much-awaited new national textile policy "will soon see the light of day".

The Textile Minister Smriti Irani said that the sector has a lot of unrealized potential in terms of skilling and employment, and that it can play a very important role in scaling up the ‘Make In India’ vision of the Prime Minister.

She noted that the textile sector provides employment to a large number of women. She emphasized that her Ministry would continue the efforts being taken under the leadership of the Prime Minister to engage with the industry and help increase the exports of the sector.

Citing that the weavers are the foundation of the sector, Irani assured that the Government would strive to help them to the maximum possible extent.

Irani vowed to strengthen textile and apparel sectors and speaking of the huge opportunity for skilling, the Minister said that besides improving the skills of the people already engaged in the sector, her efforts will be primarily directed towards skill development and engaging more youngsters.