'Special incentives mulled for east, northeast in new textile policy'

The government was considering giving special incentives to northeast and eastern states in the proposed textile policy, which is expected to be presented in the upcoming budget session of parliament, Textiles Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar said on Friday.

"We expect to present the new policy in the coming Budget session," he said, adding it will be a long term policy of ten years.

"We are considering special incentives for the manufacturing units which would come up in the northeastern states, as also in the eastern states of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal," he said.

The minister launched Integrated Skill Development Centres at three mills of National Jute Manufactures Corporation (NJMC) at National Jute Mill in Howrah district and Alaxendara and Kinnison Mills in North 24 Parganas district at a cost of Rs.6.40 crore.

These would provide direct employment to over 5,000 people.

Gangwar announced another two centres at Jalpaiguri and the Sunderbans at a cost of Rs.2 crore, which would provide employment to over 400 women.

Two more centres would come up in Assam and Bihar.

Gangwar also launched a new Jute Raw Material Bank (JRMB) Scheme, with each unit being supported by over Rs.15 lakh annually to help provide jute raw materials at reasonable price and in required quantity to the artisans, craftsperson, weavers, WSHGs and small entrepreneurs in their locality.