NIFT in 3 months

The Centre has in principle agreed to set up a branch of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) at Bhubaneswar. It will start functioning in three months and will offer few certificate courses. The regular courses will commence from the next academic year i.e. in 2010-11.

This follows the discussion between the Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik and the Union minister for textiles Dayanidhi Maran in New Delhi. The state government has already committed to provide necessary infrastructure including land for the institute.

During the discussion, the chief minister expressed concern that due to lack of marketing and inability to pay debt, a large number of Primary Weavers’ Co-operative Societies (PWCSs) are unable to avail loan. In this context, he suggested that the potential viable PWCSs may be identified and loans given to them waived.

Similarly, Patnaik also requested the Union minister to increase procurement of cotton from KBK region as the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has only purchased 2.43 lakh quintals through 6 procurement centres in Kalahandi, Rayagada and Bolangir.

He asked the Union minister to instruct CCI to intensify procurement through opening up of 10 additional centres at Nuapada, Kalahandi, Gajapati, Bolangir and Raygada.