The Government have taken a number of steps for expansion of T&C sector including technology upgradation and modernization of textile mills under the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme, support for industry infrastructure through Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP); Integrated Scheme for Development of Powerloom Sector along with Group Workshed Scheme for the sector; Scheme for skill upgradation of textiles workers under the Integrated Skill Development Scheme and other capacity building programmes for the industry like Knitwear Technology Mission. In addition, fiscal incentives are provided for exports of T&C items under various provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy – 2009-14. This information was given by the Minister of State for Textiles, Smt. Panabaaka Lakshmi in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today to a question raised by Shrimati Bimla Kashyap Sood.

The Minister further stated that the weaving and processing sector are considered to be a weaker sector for want of adequate modernization. Government have initiated a number of steps for weaving and processing sector which include interest reimbursement, margin money subsidy and capital subsidy under TUF Scheme. The exports of readymade garments and made-ups increased by over 10% in 2008-09 compared to 2007-08 but there was a decrease of around 1% in 2009-10 compared to 2008-09. However, in the current financial year (April-Sept) provisional figure indicate that exports have gone up by around 7% compared to 2009-10.

RM/JL

(Release ID :70482)