Sharma assures southern states of support to textile and plantation sectors

Union minister of commerce, industry and textiles Anand Sharma today assured the central government's full support to southern states for achieving full potential of the plantation, textile and manufacturing industries. 

The assurance was given at a review meeting on industry-related issues with the state governments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, at Kovalam in Kerala.

At the meeting senior officers from the department of commerce and industry made presentations on the new National Manufacturing Policy, recent changes in FDI regime, new guidelines for Special Economic Zones, handloom and plantation sector, and eBiz project.

Sharma said the centre has given in-principle approval to three National Manufacturing and Investment Zones in Tumkur in Karnataka and Chittoor and Medak in Andhra Pradesh.

''In-principle approval has been given to three NMIZs. I urge the state governments to speed up the process of establishing these investment hubs,'' Sharma said.

The state governments sought clarifications and expressed appreciation for changes in SEZ policy.

On the problems faced by Tirupur textile units in the wake of the Supreme Court judgement on closure of units allegedly violating pollution control rules, Sharma assured the Tamil Nadu government the centre's full support to meet the requirements of affected textile workers. Sharma also informed that recent announcement of 21 new schemes for integrated textile parks have taken the total number of such parks to 61.

''A large number of these parks are in the southern states of India. They need to take full advantage of the scheme,'' added Sharma.

He also informed the Andhra Pradesh delegation of the upcoming National Institute of Design and a branch of Footwear Design and Development Institute in the state.

All the state governments raised issues related to plantation and sought support for the sector. Sharma assured them complete assistance for the same.