Lok Sabha Question No. 1913 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-30
Subject: Retail Stores for Textiles
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Arvind Dharmapuri

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1913 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2021

## RETAIL STORES FOR TEXTILES

## 1913.  SHRI ARVIND DHARMAPURI:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री

be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Government proposes to open retail stores to promote and encourage textile industry in the country;
- (b)  the  details  of  schemes  introduced  by  the  Government  since  2014  to  promote  the  textile  industry, both in India and abroad; and
- (c) the details of achievements of the Public Sector Undertakings associated with Ministry of Textiles, Government of India?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् यमंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

- (a): The  government  provides  platforms  to  the  agencies/weavers  in  domestic  as  well  as  overseas markets  for  promotion  of  marketing  of  handloom  products  produced  across  the  country.  Also, government creates a conducive environment and provide enabling conditions for textile industry in the country through its various schemes/initiatives.
- (b): The following schemes have been implemented by government since 2014 to promote textile industry in the country and globally:
- i. Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (ROSCTL) : With effect from 07.03.2019, the Central Government has launched a new scheme viz. Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (ROSCTL) on Export  of  Garments/Made-ups.    The  ROSCTL  Scheme  provides  rebate  of  State  and Central Taxes and Levies in addition to the Duty Drawback Scheme, through the Scheme on Export of Garments/Made-ups at notified rates and value caps and will remain in force upto 31.01.2020.

The Government decided to continue the RoSCTL (Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies) scheme  until  such  time  the  RoSCTL  scheme  is  merged  with  Remission  of  Duties  and  Taxes  on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme.  For this purpose, the Government approved adhoc allocation of funds  of  Rs.7398  crore  for  FY  2020-21  for  issuance  of  duty  credit  scrips  under  RoSCTL  Scheme. Taking  a  major  step  to  boost  exports,  Government  decided  to  extend  the  benefit  of  the  Scheme  for Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) to all export goods with effect from 1st January, 2021. Government had notified a special one-time additional ad-hoc incentive of upto 1% of  FoB  value  to  be  provided  for  exports  of  apparel  and  made-ups  to  offset  the  difference  between RoSCTL and RoSL + MEIS@4%, from 7.3.2019 to 31.12.2019. Further, in order to boost exports in MMF  sector,  Government  has  removed  anti-dumping  duty  on  PTA,  a  key  raw  material  for  the manufacture of MMF fibre and yarn. Government had removed anti-dumping duty on acrylic fibre, raw material for yarn and knitwear industry. Assistance is also provided to exporters under Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme. Government has enhanced interest equalization rate for pre and post shipment credit for exports done by MSMEs including textiles sector from 3% to 5% w.e.f. 02.11.2018. Benefits of Interest Equalization Scheme has been extended to merchant exporters from 02.01.2019 which was earlier limited to only manufacturer exporters. Merchandise Export from India Scheme (MEIS) was in operation from 1.4.2015 till 31.12.2020 for exports made (including textiles products) with an objective to offset infrastructural inefficiencies and associated costs involved in exporting goods/ products which were produced/ manufactured in India.

- ii. Special  Package for Textile and Apparel sector: Rs 6000 crores package  was launched in June  2016  to  boost  employment  and  export  potential  in  the  apparel  and  made  up  segments.    This package consists of Remission of State Levies for garmenting and made-ups; additional production and employment  linked  subsidy  of  10%  under  ATUFS  for  garmenting;  assistance  for  the  entire  12% employers' contribution towards EPF; fixed term employment in garmenting, increasing overtime caps; and income tax concessions under section 80JJAA for the garmenting sector.

iii. Amended Technology Up-gradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS): The amended Scheme was launched in January 2016 with an outlay of Rs 17822 Crores for technology upgradation of textiles industry  with  one  time  capital  subsidy  for  eligible  machinery.    The  scheme  has  been  designed  to mobilize new investment of about Rs 95 000 cr and employment for 35 lakh persons by the year 2022.

- iv. SAMARTHWith a view to address the skilled manpower requirement across textile sector, Scheme  for  Capacity  Building  in  Textile  Sector  (SCBTS)  is  implemented.  The  scheme  has  been extended till March, 2024.
- v. PowerTex India: A  comprehensive scheme for development of Powerloom sector has been launched w.e.f 01.04.2017 to 31.03.2020 and extended upto March 2021 with components like Insituupgradation of plain Powerlooms, Group Work Shed Scheme, Yarn Bank Scheme, Common Facility Centre (CFC), Solar Energy Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Credit Scheme, etc.
- vi. Handloom sector: Government is  implementing  following  schemes since 2014-15 onwards under  which  financial  assistance  is  provided  for  raw  materials,  purchase  of  looms  and  accessories, design innovation, product diversification, infrastructure development, skill upgradation, lighting units, marketing  of  handloom  products  in  domestic  as  well  as overseas  markets and  loan  at  concessional rates: -
4.  National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP)
5.  Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS)
6.  Handloom Weavers' Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (HWCWS)
7.  Yarn Supply Scheme (YSS)

vii. The India Handloom Brand (IHB) Scheme of Govt. of India was inaugurated and launched by the  Hon'ble  Prime  Minister  on  7 th August,  2015  at  Chennai  on  the  occasion  of  the  First  National Handloom Day to promote the inherent strength of the Indian handloom products in the country. The IHB Scheme is aimed to promote the brand of handlooms and develop a niche market for the handloom textiles with distinct identity.

viii. Silk Samagra : Government of India has been implementing a Central Sector Scheme 'Silk Samagra'  for  development  of  sericulture  in  the  country  with  components  such  as  Research  & Development,  Training,  Transfer  of  Technology  and  I.T  Initiatives,  support  to  seed  organizations, coordination and market development  and, quality certification  Systems  (QCS)/  Export  Brand

Promotion and Technology Upgradation. R&D efforts have also been initiated to evolve new products by blending silk with other fibres such as wool, coir, cotton etc., which have demand in international markets.

ix. Scheme for Incubation in Apparel Manufacturing (SIAM) :  The  Scheme for Incubation in Apparel  Manufacturing  (SIAM)  was  launched  on  pilot  basis  in  January  2014  with  initial  outlay  of Rs.38.80  crore  for  setting  up  three  Incubation  Centres  @  Rs.12.93  crore  /Incubation  Centre.  The objective of the Scheme is to promote new entrepreneurs in apparel manufacturing by providing them an integrated workspace with complete ecosystem and plug and play facility which help them in reducing time, cost and efforts involved in setting up a new incubation centre. Two projects for setting Incubation Centres i.e. SPINFED in Odisha & MPIIDC in Madhya Pradesh are under implementation.

x. Scheme for Textile Industry Workers' Accommodation (STIWA) : The Scheme for Textile Worker's  Accommodation  was  launched  in  2014  with  an  outlay  of  Rs.45  crore  for    implementation during  the  12th  Five  Year  Plan.  The  objective  of  the  Scheme  is  to  provide  safe,  adequate  and conveniently located accommodation for textile and apparel industry workers in the proximity of areas of  high  concentration  of  textile  and  apparel  industries.  Two  such  projects  have  been  sanctioned  in October, 2014 viz. Gujarat Eco-Textiles Park Pvt. Limited in Gujarat and Palladam Hi-Tech Weaving Park Pvt. Limited in Tamilnadu. Both projects have been completed as per scheme guidelines.

xi. Jute (ICARE): A project Jute ICARE (Improved Cultivation and Advanced Retting Exercise) was introduced in 2015 for improving productivity and quality of raw jute through carefully designed interventions. The project has benefitted more than 1.9 lakhs farmers in various states in the country.

xii. Scheme for Research and Development for the Textile Industry including Jute was approved in the 12th Five Year Plan from 2014-15 to 2018-19 with an outlay of Rs. 149 crore. The scheme has been designed with three major components as under:

-  Component-I: Research and Development projects to be undertaken by reputed research agencies including  Textile  Research  Associations  (TRAs),  research  laboratories,  universities,  industry associations etc. engaged in research in the textiles and allied sector (Total Outlay: Rs.50 crore). The Scheme completed its tenure on 31st March, 2019, and has been extended up to 31st March, 2020.
-  Component-II:  Promotion  of  R&D  in  jute  sector;  transfer  of  technologies  and  dissemination activities in jute sector (Total Outlay: Rs.80 crore).
-  Component-III: Benchmarking studies, knowledge dissemination and promoting green initiatives through R&D (Total Outlay: Rs.15 Crore).

xiii. Scheme  for  Promoting  Usage  of  Geotechnical  Textiles  in  North  Eastern  Region :  The Scheme was launched on 24.03.2015 for a period of five years (2014-15 to 2018-19) with an outlay of Rs.427 crore. The objective of this Scheme is to promote and utilize Geotextiles in development of the infrastructure in the NE states by providing technological and financial support for meeting additional costs, if any, due to the usage of Geotextiles in existing/ new projects in road, hill/ slope protection and water reservoirs.

xiv. National Technical Textile Mission: The government has approved the proposal for creation of National Technical Textiles Mission for a period of 4 years (2020-21 to 2023-24) with an outlay of Rs.1480 crores. The focus of the Mission is for developing on usage of technical textiles in various flagship missions, programmes of the country including strategic sectors. The use of technical textiles in agriculture, aquaculture, dairy, poultry, etc. Jal Jivan Mission; Swachch Bharat Mission; Ayushman Bharat  will  bring  an  overall  improvement  in  cost  economy,  water  and  soil  conservation,  better agricultural productivity and higher income to farmers per acre of land holding in addition to promotion of manufacturing and exports activities in India. The use of geo-textiles in highways, railways and ports will result in robust infrastructure, reduced maintenance cost and higher life cycle of the infrastructure assets.

xv. Integrated Wool Development Programme' (IWDP) is  being  implemented  since  2014  for development  of  woollen  textile  industry  in  major  wool  potential  areas  of  the  country.  Under  this Scheme,  provision  has  been  made  to  establish  Common  Facility  Centres  (CFCs)  at  major  wool potential  areas  as  the  Woollen  Industry  require  to  modernize    pre-loom  and  post-loom  processing facilities for ensuring quality finished product. The scheme having provision for creating different kind of  wool  and  woollen  processing  activities  like-  wool  scouring,  carding,  dyeing,  knitting,  weaving. Establishing such CFCs helps in increasing wool processing capacity.

(c): The details of achievements of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are as follows:

## i. Cotton Corporation of India

-  CCI has developed a mobile app, 'Cott-Ally' wherein latest news regarding weather condition, Crop situation, best farm practices etc are available  in regional languages which gives real time information.  In  addition,  it  is  an  authentic  source  of  information  regarding  all  government schemes related to cotton and information on best farm practices for sustainable production of good quality contaminant-free cotton to maximize the farm income. Live chat feature of this mobile app will benefit the user in such a way that whenever anyone selects the State, live chat will be routed to the CCI Branch office of that particular state, so that live chat can be made in the regional language of choice.
-  CCI is promoting mechanization of cotton harvesting under Corporate Social Responsibility by equipping the marginal and small cotton farmers with hand held kapasplucker machines in a phased manner which reduced dependence on labour,reduce cost of production thereby higher financial returns. Use of Kapasplucker machine avoid contamination at farm level and improve the quality of cotton.
-  For  scientific  assessment  of  quality  equipped  procurement  centres  with  portable  moisture meters having data transfer facility, micronaire testers and hand-held ginning machines. Further prescribed the quality norms upon ginning and pressing factories to give better quality of cotton as  per  parameters  fixed  for  lint  realization%,  shortages  and  trash%.    This  step  will  improve brand image of Indian cotton
-  Tender  wizard  platform  approved  by  Ministry  of  Electronics  and  Information  technology  is used for conducting e-auction to sell its stock in a more transparent manner. It not only keep confidentiality of e-auction process but bidding is made on real-time basis which help in making price discovery based on the prevailing market.
-  CCI is giving discount of Rs.300/- per candy in its regular sale price to MSME mills, Khadi and Village industry, Cooperative sector mills to help them in enhancing their competitiveness and efficiency.
-  To increase the production of Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton, distributed two lakh kgs of ELS cotton seeds in the state of Tamilnadu to cotton farmers through Tamil Nadu Government.

## ii. Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Limited (CCIC)

CCIC has supported  rich  heritage  of  art  &  craft  in  India  through  its  retail  emporia  providing market platform to artisans and weavers(including national and state awardees)

## iii. National Textile Corporation Limited (NTC)

NTC is engaged in production of yarn and fabrics through its 23 mills in operation, located all over India producing around 550 lakhs KG of yarn and 200 lakhs meter of fabric per annum.

- iv. National Handloom Development Corporation Ltd (NHDC) :  In  order  to  make available all types  of  yarn,  basic  raw  material  used  in  the  Handloom  sector  to  the  eligible  handloom weavers/agencies at Mill Gate Price, Government of India is implementing Yarn Supply scheme throughout the country. Further, in order to facilitate handloom sector/weavers to compete with Mill Sector, 10% price subsidy is also provided under Yarn Supply Scheme on cotton, domestic Silk, Woollen and linen hank yarn with quantity restrictions.

## v. Jute Corporation of India (JCI) :

-  Ensuring  the  market  price  levels  of  raw  jute  above  Minimum  Support  Price  through  active presence  of  JCI  procurement  centres  and  judicious  intervention  as  and  when  the  prices  fall below MSP while ensuring all payments direct to the accounts of farmers within three working days.
-  Distribution of certified jute seeds were also carried out amidst total lockdown following all the Covid-19 protocols thereby helping to achieve 10-15% higher sowing over last year.
-  New marketing channels for Jute Diversified Products have been launched including Franchisee and E-Commerce modes.
-  Corporation has taken up following innovative initiatives towards meaningful utilisation of CSR funds in the F.Y 2020-21:
-  Supporting mother and child health care facility to five district hospitals in five jute growing aspirational  districts  (Darang,  Goalpara  Districts  in  Assam,Nadia  Distrcit  in  West  Bengal, Katihar and Purnia Districts in Bihar) as per the advice of the Department of Public Enterprises.
-  Two women NGOs supported for imparting  training  to  rural  women  artisans  to  manufacture quality  Jute  Diversified  Products  (JDP)  so  that  the  trained  women  artisans  may  start  up  own JDP manufacturing units.
-  JCI  has  signed  MOU  with  NSC  on  19/08/2020  for  sourcing  of  1000  MT  Certified  Jute  seed (Variety JRO-204) and has planned to commercially distribute the same to farmers.

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