The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Minister for extension of textile schemes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 15, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Minister for extension of textile schemes

Special Correspondent

`This is needed to sustain the growth of the textile industry'

CHENNAI: The State Government has written to the Centre to extend the Technology Upgradation Scheme (TUF) and Integrated Textile Park Scheme for the next Five Year Plan to enhance investments in the textile industry, according to Handloom and Textiles Industry Minister N.K.K.P. Raja.

Speaking to newsmen here on Thursday, the Minister said after the announcement of these two schemes during the current five-year plan, many entrepreneurs had come forward to invest heavily and had paved the way for the rapid growth of the textile industry. To keep up the momentum, the schemes should be extended for the next Five Year Plan also. Simultaneously, the ceiling limit under the TUF scheme should be increased to Rs. 3 crore from Rs. 1 crore for the benefit of small power loom owners and allot 10 more integrated parks to Tamil Nadu.

The Minister said various hi-tech weaving, apparel and processing parks being set up in Tamil Nadu were expected to attract an investment of about Rs. 3,000 crore and provide direct employment to about 34,000 persons. Their annual turnover would cross Rs. 7,000 crore once the parks became fully operational.

Under the Apparel Park for Export Scheme, two parks were established, one each at Tirupur and Irungattukottai near Chennai. Three high-tech weaving parks were being established in power loom centres one each at Kumarapalayam, Andipatti and Palladam. For setting up the above parks, both the Central and the State Governments were giving financial assistance for infrastructure development as grant. The State Government had already released Rs. 18.22 crore for creating infrastructure facilities besides allowing 50 per cent stamp duty concession for purchase and registration of land for the parks.

In addition to the above parks, the Central Government had given approval for establishment of integrated textile parks at Erode, Kumarapalayam and Chengampalli. Proposals had been sent to the Centre for setting up Madurai Integrated Textile Park. Establishment of advanced technology oriented processing park at Cuddalore was in progress. There was a proposal to establish another processing park at Erode.

Earlier the Minister distributed the best export awards to 15 exporters and best weaver awards to 57 handloom weavers. The winners were given cash prize and a certificate of merit.

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