Date:15/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/15/stories/2008031559140300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

State to come out with new textile policy soon

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: The State Government would soon come out with a new textile policy, involving Rs. 500 crore, which would address various issues concerning the sector, Commissioner for Textile Development Ashokkumar C. Manoli said on Friday.

Inaugurating the two-day “buyer-seller meet” organised by the Powerloom Development and Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL) in Bangalore, Mr Manoli said the policy would deal with the issues like marketing of garment materials, machinery, supply of power, skilled labourers, location of the industry and so on.

He said the Government wanted the garment industry to set up units in other parts of the State instead of having units only in and around Bangalore city.

Pointing out that the textile sector was the second largest employer next only to the agricultural sector, Mr. Manoli said people employed in garment industry were more compared to those employed in the information technology sector in Bangalore city.

About four lakh women were working in garment units in and around Bangalore city, he added.

As many as 21 fabric manufacturers — 19 from Tamil Nadu, one each from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka — are participating in the meet.