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Maharashtra to pump in Rs40,000 crore to ramp up textile sector

Vetted several times by a seven-member sub-committee comprising Congress and NCP ministers, the policy, which is expected to tackle farmers’ suicides in the cotton-growing belt of Vidarbha, will be tabled before the cabinet.

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Come Wednesday, and the new textile policy, promising an investment of Rs40,000 crore and 12 lakh jobs, may finally see the light of day.

Vetted several times by a seven-member sub-committee comprising Congress and NCP ministers, the policy, which is expected to tackle farmers’ suicides in the cotton-growing belt of Vidarbha, will be tabled before the cabinet.

The state, which boasts of 11.5 lakh of the 23-lakh power looms in the country, has been reeling from poor management in the textile sector in the absence of a government policy. Only 54 of the 128 spinning mills are functioning in the state. It’s no surprise then that of the total Rs1,450 crore invested between the seventh and ninth five-year plans, only Rs34 crore has been recovered till date.

On the reasons behind the poor recovery, a senior official in the textile ministry blamed the closure of a majority of spinning mills.

The comprehensive policy, which threatens to alter the power dynamics by giving a boost to the textile sector in cotton-growing Vidarbha, Marathwada and north Maharashtra, seeks to end the western belt’s monopoly over the 70% funds for co-operative spinning mills. It questions why the textile industry was ignored in the cotton-growing regions and priority was given to western Maharashtra, which cultivates sugarcane.

Textile minister Naseem Khan said the policy would encourage co-operative and private sectors to set up shop in the cotton-growing belts.

“Whether it is the setting up of spinning mills, cotton processing units or readymade garments’ manufacturing units, the thrust should be on cotton-growing regions. The government promises special incentives by waiving off loan interests.”

Among those throwing a wet blanket on the policy is the NCP, which has a strong sway in the western belt. It argued that the Congress is trying to use the policy to consolidate its base in Vidarbha, northern Maharashtra and Marathwada.

Khan, however, pointed out that the NCP was part of the sub-committee that framed the textile policy. “It is based on the ground reality and not politics. The basic concept keeps in mind the welfare of the cotton farmers, who are in large numbers in Vidarbha, Marathwada and parts of north Maharashtra.”

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