Maharashtra lures textile units facing in problems from Karnataka, TN

State seeks make Solapur a major textile hub, is holding three-day fair in Bengaluru to rope in investors, offers cheaper power to units set up on its territory

The government of Maharashtra is seeking investment in the textiles sector from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka where integrated textile chains are grappling with several problems, including power cuts and enquiry from the pollution control board.

Textiles minister of Maharashtra Subhash Deskmukh has urged investors to inject funds into Maharashtra to enable the state government make Solapur a uniform and textiles hub. 

To intensify the appeal, the government of Maharashtra is organising a three-day Uniform, Garment and Fabric Manufacturers Fair in Bengaluru between January 8 and January 10. Since its launch nearly three years ago, nearly 400 textiles units have been set up in the Solapur textiles hub, which the government of Maharashtra plans to raise to 2,000 by 2022.

“Our move is to give an equal opportunity to all stakeholders from the textiles industry to become a part of it. All types of uniforms – be it school, industrial, hospital, work wear or hotel staff wear – will be available under one roof at the venue. 

The fair will see brands, retailers, dealers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retail chains, semi-wholesalers, traders, distributors, e-commerce agents and retail chains participate in the fair in large numbers. 

Solapur has the unique distinction of being the country’s centre known for high quality uniforms and garments,” said Deshmukh.

In the new textiles policy, the government of Maharashtra announced Rs 3 per unit of power tariff for co-operative cotton mills and Rs 2 per unit for power looms, cloth processing garment and hosiery units. 

The state had set aside Rs 1.5 billion for the purpose.

The state government announced that in an effort to promote the processing of cotton, silk and other raw materials used for traditional and man-made purposes, the government intended to invest as much as Rs 46.49 billion in various schemes to be implemented under the ‘Fibre to Fasion’ mission from 2018-23. The state aims to generate one million jobs by 2023.

SPINNING A DREAM

• Textiles minister of Maharashtra Subhash Deskmukh has urged investors to inject funds into the state 
• Proposes lower electricity tariff and other benefits
• State government aims to make Solapur a textiles hub
• Organises a three-day textiles fair in Bengaluru between January 8 and 10