10-fold spike in allocation for powerloom sought in 12th plan

MUMBAI: The textile ministry has sought a whopping 10-fold spike in allocation for the powerloom sector at Rs 1,200 crore during the 12th Plan, a top ministry official said here today.

"We have sought over 10-fold rise in funding for the powerloom sector during the next Plan from the Planning Commission. We have made a Rs 1,200-crore proposal. During the 11th Plan, the sector got only Rs 114 crore on this count," textile commissioner AB Joshi told reporters here.

When asked whether he was sure of getting such a massive increase in fund allocation, considering the poor finances of the government, Joshi said, "the Plan panel has been very sympathetic to our demand as it understands that something has to be done to improve our price competitiveness in the global marketplace."

Joshi, who was talking on the sidelines of a buyer-seller meet organised by the textile ministry and the powerloom industry, which contributes nearly 75 per cent of textiles production in the country, also said the ministry has lined up a slew of programmes for this highly unorganised sector to make it more competitive in the global markets.

He pointed out that last fiscal, when merchandise shipments had touched a record $246 billion, the contribution of the textile sector was only $32 billion while the share of powerloom textiles out of this was only 4.5 per cent.

The textile sector overall contributes to 14 per cent of industrial production, 4 per cent of GDP and 10.63 per cent of export earnings. It provides direct employment to over 35 million people, which includes a substantial number of SCs/STs and women. The textile sector is the second largest provider of employment after agriculture.

The textile industry has been growing at 3-4 per cent in the last six decades. However, during the 11th Plan it was projected to accelerate to a growth rate of 16 per cent in value and should reach USD115 billion (exports $55 billion and domestic market $60 billion) by FY12.

There are 27 lakh powerlooms, and they contribute up to 75 per cent of the overall textile output with the cotton textile/yarn contributing as much 60 per cent of the overall production with the rest 40 per cent being met by synthetic textiles.