TUF scheme for paper industry on the anvil

The Centre has in principle agreed to come out with a Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) for the benefit of the paper industry, an official of Indian Agro and Recycled Paper Mills Association (IARPMA) said today.  

The industry already informed the concerned ministry on the need to have a scheme for this, on the lines of textile industry and modalities are being worked out, S R Rabinder, Vice President of the associaton said here.  

Inaugurating a two-day workshop on 'Automation in paper and paper board manufacturing,' he said the government, against the demand for Rs 1,000 crore, agreed to give Rs 600 crore towards interest subsidy as initial fund for TUFS.  

The official announcement in this regard could be expected, after the Lok Sabha elections, he said.  Once the scheme was through, about 700 to 800 paper manufacturing units in the small and medium sector would go for upgradation and improve the quality of the products, he said.  

Stating that some of the 'A' grade paper mills in India has modernised, he said the need of the hour was to upgrade the technology, so that the mills have competitive edge, with international standards.