Textiles Ministry reviews progress of powerloom mega clusters

Textiles Ministry has reviewed the progress of the four powerloom mega clusters in the country and approved further action to be taken to implement the Comprehensive Powerloom Cluster Development scheme.
The Project Approval and Monitoring Committee (PAMC) chaired Textiles Secretary Zohra Chatterji yesterday assessed the four powerloom mega clusters located at Erode (Tamil Nadu), Bhiwandi (Maharashtra), Bhilwara (Rajasthan) and Ichalkaranji (Maharashtra), an official statement said.
The modified Comprehensive Powerloom Cluster Development scheme was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in October 2013 for implementation during the 12th Plan period (2012-17) with a budget outlay of Rs 110 crore.

For Erode, an Integrated Textile Market Complex comprising a wholesale market complex and a weekly textile shandy market will be completed by March 31, 2014. The weekly textile market will commence from April 1, 2014 and the wholesale market complex will be completed by December 2014.
Besides, a fresh proposal will be brought in the next PAMC meeting for setting up of a warehouse and dormitory.
For Bhiwandi, a diagnostic study is underway after which a project report will be submitted for setting up facilities as per requirement of the weavers which will include a common facility centre, pre-weaving testing and training facilities, marketing complex and group workshed for shutteleless looms.

For Bhilwara, seven special purpose vehicles have been constituted for developing the mega cluster consisting of a processing centre, production centre for weaving and apparels, centre for apparel training and HRD, production centre for weaving, R&D centre & testing lab and a warehouse facility centre.
For Ichalkaranji, a detailed conceptual report was approved for setting up of the mega cluster comprising of common facility centres, mini industrial park with ready to use common work sheds and strengthening of existing marketing centre & industrial estates.