Centre taking steps to boost Himachal textile industry: Sharma

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SME Times News Bureau | 11 Apr, 2012
Union Minister of Commerce Industry and Textiles Anand Sharma Tuesday said that the Centre has been taking a number of steps to boost the textile industry in Himachal Pradesh.

Speaking after laying the Foundation Stone of the Regional Office of Tea Board at Palampur, Sharma said that Comprehensive Handloom Package is expected to benefit over 13458 weavers, 5578 looms and 193 cooperative societies in Himachal Pradesh.

Furthermore, he added, a Cluster Development Centre for Silk rearing and post harvest activity including skill enhancement has recently been sanctioned for 6 blocks of Hamirpur and Mandi and is expected to benefit at least 1000 persons.

Under the various schemes of the Wool Development Board encouragement is being given to rabbit rearing and Angoora wool development programs, he said.

A Wool Weaving and Designing Centre has been set up at Kullu for Skills Training and its capacity is expected to be enhanced during the 12th Five Year Plan.

"If the State or the Industry partners with the Government we would be happy to establish 5 new Apparel Design and Training Centres for skills training in the apparel sector to train 10,000 persons with 75% of the cost of the training initiatives," announced the Minister.

Speaking at the event, the minister also announced a multi-pronged project to boost production and export of tea produced in the Kangra valley that is known for its flavour and quality.

Sharma said a collection centre would be opened here to procure tea directly from the growers. The minister said to get international buyers for Kangra tea, a separate e-auction window would be set up.

Sharma also directed the board official to prepare within two weeks a plan on mechanisation of the tea industry as the tea gardens in the state are facing closure due to high input costs.

He asked the state government to help growers reviving tea estates by rejuvenating the old tea estates and identify abandoned estates.