The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : 800-cr. debt waiver for weavers

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Wednesday, Jul 09, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

800-cr. debt waiver for weavers

Special Correspondent

Textile Ministry recommends withdrawal of import/export duty on cotton

Vaghela to inaugurate first automatic reeling machine at Jangaon
Cotton productivity increasing annually by 330 lakh bales

HYDERABAD: The Textile Ministry has proposed waiver of debts to the tune of Rs.800 crore incurred by handloom weavers and recommended withdrawal of import/export duty on cotton.

Union Textiles Minister Shankersinh Vaghela stated at a press conference here on Tuesday that a request for the debt waiver was made both to the Finance Minister and the Prime Minister.

A committee headed by the NABARD chairman had recommended the waiver. A revised memorandum would be sent to the Finance Ministry.

“In view of the steep hike in cotton price, the Ministry is in favour of removing all import duties and cut export duty,” he said.

Reeling machine

The Minister is here to inaugurate the first automatic reeling machine at Jangaon in Warangal district.

The machine--part of a Rs. 3 crore project to produce international-grade silk and highly beneficial to sericulture farmers--has been imported from China.

The first such project was inaugurated in Andhra Pradesh. Similar equipment would be launched in Tamil Nadu in two weeks, Mr. Vaghela stated.

Detailing the strides made by the textile industry, he said the ministry introduced timely policy changes and innovative programmes for spurring growth by raising investment and introducing modern technology.

Productivity up

Cotton productivity was increasing every year by about 330 lakh bales. Of this, 100 lakh bales were exported to China and other countries. The country was ranked No.1 in the man-made carpet sector. Cotton, silk, jute, handicrafts, handloom sectors did exceedingly well in the last four years. Exports to Europe grew by 20 per cent and to the US by 25 per cent.

30 SITPs sanctioned

Under the Integrated Textile Parks Scheme, 30 SITPs in PPP mode were sanctioned with government assistance of Rs.40 crore per park. Five SITPs were sanctioned at Mahabubnagar, Anantapur, Pochampally, Visakhapatnam and Nellore, he said.

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