Tamil Nadu plans New Integrated Textile Policy to boost industry

In a move to boost textile industry in the state, which is the capital of knitwear and various textile products, Tamil Nadu Government is planning to introduce a New Integrated Textile Policy.

In his budget speech today Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister O Panneerselvam said that the Government will come up with a new polity to sustain, strengthen and develop handloom, powerloom and knitwear and garment sectors.

While he did not share the details of the Policy, he said it will give special focus to sunrise sectors like technical textiles besides coming up with a comprehensive strategy to increase textile exports.

Tirupur Exporter Association along with other industry associations had requested the state government to provide eight per cent interest subsidy and 10 per cent capital subsidy, under TUF Scheme in State Textile Policy. Other demands include constitution of knitwear board, incentives for setting up of technical textiles units, effluent treatment plant, dedicated power stations and power tariff subsidy.

The industry also noted that the minimum wages prescribed for apparel sector in Orissa and Telangana states are only Rs 200 per worker whereas in Tamil Nadu, the minimum wages are on higher side and this higher rate leads our garmenting units to become uncompetitive in the market.

Tamil Nadu Textile Policy is pending over a period of time, while other states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan including Odisha have announced the policy which attracted many entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, in the 2018-19 budget the state has allocated Rs 12.40 billion for Handlooms and Textiles sectors and Rs 2.27 billion for Handicrafts and Khadi sectors.