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Textile parks, also known as industrial clusters, have emerged as a comprehensive solution to promote the textile sector in India. These parks aim to provide integrated infrastructure and facilities that foster production, export, and employment opportunities. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign” vision, India has recently announced the PM MITRA scheme, which plans to establish seven mega investment textile parks over three years. The scheme aims to make India self-reliant and position it as a global leader in textiles. In addition to the PM MITRA scheme, the production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for technical textiles and manmade fibers also seeks to enhance manufacturing capabilities and exports in key sectors. However, challenges and criticisms surrounding the establishment and effectiveness of these textile parks need to be addressed for the sector’s sustainable growth.

Challenges in Establishing Textile Parks:

Acquiring sufficient land parcels poses a significant challenge in setting up the textile parks. The availability of contiguous and encumbrance-free land, along with other necessary facilities and an ecosystem for the textile industry, is crucial. However, land acquisition is a complex and time-consuming process that involves legal and environmental issues. State governments need to provide support, incentives, and expedite the land acquisition and development process to overcome this challenge.

Another issue highlighted is the lack of timely implementation and monitoring of textile park projects. The experience with the Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP), launched in 2005, has shown delays in obtaining land and other statutory clearances from state governments, leading to a lower success rate. The PM MITRA scheme must learn from these shortcomings and ensure effective project management and accountability to ensure successful execution and completion of the textile parks.

Addressing Raw Material Availability and Cost Competitiveness :

While the PM MITRA scheme aims to boost the textile sector through integrated infrastructure, it falls short in addressing the issues of raw material availability, quality, and cost competitiveness. India heavily relies on imports for cotton, synthetic fibers, and yarns, which increases input costs and hampers the industry’s profitability. Enhancing domestic production and improving the supply chain for these raw materials is essential to reduce import dependence and enhance competitiveness.

The Need to Integrate Handloom, Handicraft, and Silk Segments:

An important concern is that the PM MITRA scheme does not encompass the handloom, handicraft, and silk segments of the textile sector. These segments play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage and providing livelihoods to millions of artisans and weavers. However, they face challenges such as lack of modernization, low productivity, poor quality control, and inadequate marketing support. To ensure holistic development, these segments must be integrated into the PM MITRA scheme, providing them with enabling infrastructure, technology, skill development, and financial assistance.

Conclusion :

The establishment of textile parks through the PM MITRA scheme holds immense potential to boost India’s textile sector, increase exports, and generate employment opportunities. However, addressing the challenges and criticisms surrounding these parks is crucial to ensure their success. Adequate support and incentives from state governments in land acquisition and development are essential to overcome the initial hurdle of obtaining suitable land parcels. Timely execution and effective project management are imperative, learning from the experiences of the SITP.

Moreover, the PM MITRA scheme should prioritize addressing issues related to raw material availability, quality, and cost competitiveness. Enhancing domestic production and improving supply chains for cotton, synthetic fibers, and yarns will reduce import dependence and improve the sector’s overall competitiveness.

Furthermore, the inclusion of the handloom, handicraft, and silk segments within the PM MITRA scheme will be instrumental in preserving cultural heritage and improving the livelihoods of artisans and weavers. These segments require modernization, increased productivity, quality control measures, and marketing support to thrive alongside the larger textile industry.

By addressing these challenges, the PM MITRA scheme can truly realize its vision of building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in the textile sector. It will position India as a formidable player in the global textiles market while promoting sustainable development and innovation, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9.

Overall, the PM MITRA scheme, when implemented with a comprehensive and inclusive approach, has the potential to transform the Indian textile industry, promoting growth, employment, and sustainable development.

Citations

(1) “Budget’s textile boost: 7 mega textiles parks to be setup in 3 years.” – Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/budgets-textile-boost-7-mega-textiles-parks-to-be-setup-in-3-years/articleshow/80627263.cms.

(2) “PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA).” – Source: https://www.india.gov.in/spotlight/pm-mega-integrated-textile-region-and-apparel-pm-mitra.

(3) “Explained | Will mega textile parks help boost the sector?” – Source: https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/explained-will-mega-textile-parks-help-boost-the-sector/article66662195.ece.

(4) “Government notifies setting up of 7 mega textile parks.” – Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/garments-/-textiles/government-notifies-setting-up-of-7-mega-textile-parks/articleshow/87209806.cms.