From launching PM MITRA Parks to investment under PLI Scheme, it was an eventful year for Ministry of Textiles. Some of the key initiatives and achievements of the Ministry in the year 2023 are:

PM MITRA

The Government has launched PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks Scheme  to develop world class infrastructure including plug and play facility with an outlay of Rs. 4445 crore for a period up-to 2027-28. PM MITRA Parks Scheme are inspired by the 5F vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister - Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign. Nearly Rs. 70,000 crore investment and 20 lakhs employment generation is envisaged. Parks will offer an opportunity to create an integrated textiles value chain right from spinning, weaving, processing/dyeing and printing to garment manufacturing at a single location. World-class industrial infrastructure would attract cutting edge technology and boost FDI and local investment in the sector. Centre and States to form SPVs for setting up PM MITRA Parks. These parks will be developed in PPP mode.

PLI Scheme

The Government has approved the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles with an approved outlay of Rs 10,683 crore over a five year period to promote production of MMF Apparel, MMF Fabrics and products of Technical Textiles in the country to enable Textile sector to achieve size and scale and to become competitive The Scheme has two parts: Part-1 envisages a minimum investment of Rs.300 crore & minimum turnover of Rs.600 crore per company and Part-2 envisages a minimum investment of Rs.100 crore & minimum turnover of Rs.200 crore per company There will be two years of gestation period under the Scheme (FY: 2022-23 and FY. 2023­- 24). The incentive will be provided to the companies under the scheme on achieving the threshold investment and threshold turnover and thereafter incremental turnover. 64 applicants were selected under the Scheme. In the approved 64 applications, the total proposed investment would be Rs.19,798 crore, projected turnover would be Rs.1,93,926 crore and proposed employment generation would be 2,45,362. As per Quarterly Review Reports (QRRs) as on 30.09.2023, the eligible investment made under the Scheme was Rs. 2,119 crore of 30 selected applicants, out of which 12 selected applicants started commercial production, turnover achieved was Rs. 520 crore including export of Rs.81 crore and employment generated was 8,214.

Ministry of Textiles has reopened the PLI portal for inviting fresh applications from interested companies under the scheme upto 31^st December 2023

Kasturi Cotton Bharat

Kasturi Cotton Bharat programme of Ministry of Textiles is a first of its kind branding, traceability and certification exercise carried out jointly by the Government of India, Trade Bodies and Industry to promote Indian Cotton. Stakeholders across the supply chain including farmers, Ginning Units, Spinning Mills, Processing Houses, Weaving Units, Garmenting Units, Home Textile manufacturers and even Retailers and Brands will be involved in a collaborative effort to promote and enhance the value of Indian Cotton across the domestic and overseas markets.

To encourage the Trade and Industry to work on the principle of self-regulation by owning complete responsibility of Traceability, Certification and Branding of Kasturi Cotton Bharat, MoU has been signed between CCI on behalf of Govt. of India, Ministry of Textiles and TEXPROCIL.

The Ministry of Textiles is driving this initiative in a mission-oriented approach, allocating budgetary support in alignment with Rs.15 crores contribution from Trade & Industry Bodies. Spanning three years from 2022-23 to 2024-25, this collaborative effort anticipates a positive impact on the entire Indian Textile Industry, fostering an elevated global perception and value for Indian Cotton.

Milestones achieved in this initiative are as under:

• Certification protocol has been finalized for standardization of quality for 29 mm and 30 mm cotton, which is under long staple cotton category. The sampling and testing will be carried out through authorized National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies and NABL-accredited agencies/labs.

• All the ginners in the country have been empowered to produce Kasturi Cotton Bharat brand as per stipulated protocol.

• Leading companies and associated Ginning units are being registered for participating Kasturi Cotton initiative and 306 units on-boarded till date including 290 Ginners &16 supply chain members.

• First Lot of certified Kasturi Cotton was produced in the month of November 2023 by the Cotton Corporation of India Ltd.

• To provide complete traceability of Kasturi Cotton Bharat across the supply chain, QR based certification technology are being used at each stage of the processing and a blockchain based software platform will provide end to end traceability and transaction certificate. In this regard, Microsite with QR code verification and Block Chain technology has been developed.

• Kasturi Cotton Bharat website has been launched on the occasion of world cotton day on 7th October 2023. This website provide a digital platform for necessary information and updates on this initiatives and highlights the registration process for ginners to produce Kasturi Cotton Bharat Brand and its processes that make the branded Indian cotton unique.

• Advertisement agency has been finalized for managing the campaign at national and international level. So far, Two Brand Films and Three Celebrity Endorsement Films with Shri Pankaj Tripathi along with Festive Greeting videos and still photographs has been developed.

• The international launch of Kasturi Cotton Bharat was executed at the 81st Plenary Session of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) held in Mumbai during 2nd to 5th Dec.2023.

• Hon’ble Union Minister of Textile, Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal unveiled Kasturi Cotton My Stamp along with the inaugural set of products made out of Kasturi Cotton i.e. a stunning T-Shirt and a beautifully designed hand towel during inaugural session of 81st Plenary meeting of International Advisory Committee (ICAC) held on 2nd December 2023. Transaction certificates for sale and purchase of Kasturi cotton and its products was also issued during the aforesaid event.

National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM)

The Government has launched a National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) with an outlay of Rs. 1,480 crores. The key pillars of NTTM include ‘Research Innovation & Development’, ‘Promotion and Market Development’, ‘Education, Training and Skilling’ and ‘Export Promotion’. The focus of the Mission is for developing usage of technical textiles in various flagship missions, programmes of the country including strategic sectors. The mission got its extension until 31st March 2026, with a subsequent sunset clause applicable until 31st March 2028. Achievement as on date is 126 projects of value 371 Crores have been approved in the category of Specialty fibers and Technical Textiles. Guidelines to support indigenous development of high end Machinery, equipment, tools and testing equipment for technical textiles in India and establish indigenous platform for domestic design, development and manufacturing has been launched. Guidelines to support Startups and Young Scientists in the application areas of technical textiles have been approved in Empowered Programme Committee (EPC).To ensure quality for both domestic consumption as well as imports, 87 items were identified to be brought under Technical Regulation/Quality Control Order (QCOs). The Ministry has issued Quality Control Order (QCOs) for 19 items of Geo-tech Textiles, 12 items of Protective Textiles items, 20 items of Agro Textiles and 06 items of Meditech Textiles. More than 100 BIS standards have been developed since inception of NTTM.The Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) [now MATEXIL] has been assigned the role of the Export Promotion Council for promotion of Technical Textiles. 26 such proposals worth Rs.151 Crores are approved under the ibid guidelines for up gradation of lab facilities and training of faculty towards developing eco-system in technical textiles.

Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS)

Under ATUFS, ratio of MSME: Non MSME is 89:11, while under previous versions of TUFS it was 30:70. Higher incentives of 15% (Rs 30 crore) for entities for employment potential segments viz. Technical Textiles and garment/made ups. Employment support to more than 17 lakhs (3.9 lakhs New and 13.4  lakhs Existing) over seven years. Out of total 3.9 lakhs new employment generated, 1.12 lakh (29%) are women.

SAMARTH

The Government with a view to enhance the skills of the workforce in the textile sector has formulated Samarth Scheme under a broad skilling policy framework with the objective of providing opportunity for sustainable livelihood. The implementation period of the scheme is upto March 2024.

The scheme aims to provide demand driven and placement oriented National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) compliant skilling programmes to incentivize and supplement the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the organised textile sector and related sectors, covering the entire value chain of textiles excluding spinning & weaving and in addition it also provides skilling and skill-upgradation in the traditional textile sectors.

The skilling programme under the scheme is implemented through Implementing Partners (IPs) comprising Textile Industry/Industry Associations, State Government agencies and Sectoral Organizations of Ministry of Textiles. Under the Scheme 2,47,465 persons have been trained as on 11.12.2023.

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, presided over the 9th National Handloom Day celebrations at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, Delhi  and launched the e-portal ‘Bhartiya Vastra evam Shilpa Kosh - A Repository of Textiles & Crafts’ developed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology.

Cotton Sector

During the calendar year 2023, the average prices of kapas are hovering at MSP level due to subdued market condition.  To support cotton farmers, CCI procured 8.37 lakh bales under MSP operations as on 18.12.2023. CCI has immensely supported the cotton farmers and with the above procurement under MSP operations have benefitted about 0.74 lakh cotton farmers in all cotton growing States. CCI has implemented QR code using Block Chain Technology from processing of cotton and warehousing till its e-auction sale to the buyers. This will create a benchmark to the textile industry and will be a milestone for development of brand image of Indian cotton.

Ministry of Textiles hosted 81st Plenary Meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee. The theme of this Plenary Meeting is “Cotton Value Chain: Local Innovations for Global prosperity”. The 81st Plenary aims to serve as a platform for sharing innovations, benchmarks, good practices and experiences across the globe on productivity, climate resilience and circularity for a vibrant cotton economy. Focus is on local innovations and cutting edge technologies for sustainability developed locally but have global implications and potential for the prosperity of the cotton value chain touching the livelihoods of millions engaged in production, processing, trade, fashion and textile industry.

Jute Sector

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has approved reservation norms for mandatory use of jute in packaging for the Jute Year 2023 -24 (1st July, 2023 to 30th June, 2024) on 8th December, 2023. The Mandatory packaging norms approved for Jute Year 2023-24 provide for 100% reservation of the foodgrains and 20% of sugar to be compulsorily packed in jute bags. The reservations norms under JPM Act provide for direct employment to 4 lakh workers and 40 lakh farmers in the Jute Sector. JPM Act, 1987 protects interest of Jute farmers, workers and persons engaged in jute goods’ production

Silk Sector

The annual Raw silk production has increased to 36,582 MT during 2022-23 from 26,480 MT in 2013-14.  Raw silk production in NE States increased to 7,953 MT in 2022-23 from 4,601 MT in 2013-14. The production of 3A-4A grade import substitute Bivoltine raw silk has increased to 8,904 MT (2022-23) from 2,559 MT (2013-14). International Grade quality Silk production through ARM increased from 25 % to 35%. Raw silk yield per hectare has increased to 109.23 kg during 2022-23 as compared to 95.93 kg during 2013-14.Estimated employment generation increased to 92.13 lakh persons during 2022-23 from 78.50 lakh persons during 2013-14.

Wool Sector

For the holistic growth of the Wool Sector, the Ministry of Textiles has formulated a new integrated programme, i.e. Integrated Wool Development Programme, ( IWDP) for implementation during the period of 15th Finance Commission i.e. from FY 2021-22 to 2025-26 with total financial allocation of Rs. 126 Crore through approval of its SFC meeting held on 15th June, 2021. IWDP scheme of MOT is Central Sector Scheme for Development of Wool Sector. Further, the Guidelines of IWDP has been approved by MoT and appointed Central Wool Development Board, Ministry of Textiles as nodal agency for implementation of this scheme in all major wool producing States.

Handloom sector

Assistance worth  Rs. 16.42 Crore released for 140 marketing events,  3712 beneficiaries have been provided loans under MUDRA Scheme., 29,280 beneficiaries enrolled under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana. Total 208.903 lakh kg of yarn supplied under Transport Subsidy & Price Subsidy under Raw Material Supply Scheme. The soft launch of the E-Commerce portal viz. indiahandmade.com on 22.04.2023 with approx. 1000 products and 556 sellers. As on 14.12.2023 the no. of products uploaded is 11,468 with 1536 sellers.

Handicrafts Sector

Handicraft Sector have great potential, as they hold the key for sustaining not only the existing set of millions of artisans spread over length and breadth of the country, but also for the increasingly large number of new entrants in the crafts activity.  Total 28.40 lakh artisans have been registered with Ministry, out of which 10.16 lakhs are male artisans and 18.23 lakhs are female artisans. During the year 2023-24 [upto 31.10.2023], 49 domestic and 13 International marketing events have been sanctioned under Marketing Support & Services. During the year 2023-24 [upto 30.09.2023], 684 different interventions like Design Workshops, Toolkits distributions, exhibition, Study Tour, Seminars, Craft Demonstration & Awareness Programme, Brand Promotion & Publicity etc. During the year 2023-24 [upto 30.09.2023], ₹ 242.00 lakhs have been sanctioned for the welfare of handicraft artisans. Activities undertaken by EPCH for promotion, development and export growth of handicrafts during April-October 2023 includes INDEX Dubai Fair, IMM Cologne Fair Spring Edition, Cologne, Germany, Autumn Fair International, Birmingham, United Kingdom, Who’s Next 2023 at Paris and others.

Bharat Tex 2024

BHARAT TEX 2024 is a global textile mega event being organised by a consortium of 11 Textile Export Promotion Councils and supported by the Ministry of Textiles. It is scheduled from February 26-29, 2024 in New Delhi. With a focus on sustainability and resilient supply chains, it promises to be a tapestry of tradition and technology attracting the best and the brightest from the textile world. It will have dedicated pavilions on Sustainability and Recycling, thematic discussions on resilient global supply chains and digitization, interactive fabric testing zones, product demonstrations and master-classes by crafts persons and events involving global brands and international designers. Bharat Tex 2024 will be a unique experience for knowledge, business and networking. The mega event will feature an exhibition spread across nearly 20 lakh sq. ft area showcasing Apparel, Home Furnishings, Floor Coverings, Fibres, Yarns, Threads, Fabrics, Carpets, Silk, Textiles based Handicrafts, Technical Textiles and much more. It will also feature nearly 50 different knowledge sessions providing an excellent platform for knowledge exchange, information dissemination and Government to Government and Business to Business interactions.

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