Irani hails Tirupur knitwear sector's growth story

Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani today praised the growth story of Tirupur as a knitwear hub and wanted clusters across the country to follow the same model.
Speaking after visiting Netaji Apparel Park, she wanted the catchline "Yesterday's labour in Tirupur is today's owner" to be popularised across the country so as to attract people from various places to set up their own units.
Appreciating the growth of Tirupur, which saw knitwear exports to the tune of Rs.25,000 crore last fiscal, she expressed hope that other clusters like those in Kanpur would evolve in a similar manner.
According to Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA) president Raja M Shanmugham, the Minister hailed the efforts made by entrepreneurs here with regard to zero liquid discharge and investments made in wind and solar power.

He further said Irani had said she would ask the Environment Ministry to institute an award for efforts in protection of environment and production of green energy.
Raja Shanmugham said the Minister had accepted the request to organise a scientific conclave annually in Tirupur by inviting textile research associations across India.
He said TEA had requested Irani to fix GST rate at five per cent, as the textile industry was one of the biggest job creators.
She was urged to look into continuance of existing duty drawback and ROSL (Rebate of State Levies) schemes even after implementation of GST from July 1, for two more years, Raja Shanmugham said.