KTR Seeks Centre's Support for Handloom and Textile Department initiatives in Telangana

Telangana IT and Industries Minister K Taraka Rama Rao wrote a letter to Union Ministers Nirmala Sitaraman and Piyush Goel seeking support for various works taken up in the handloom and textiles sector in the State. KTR had earlier written letters to the Union Govt on the same issues, several times.  

Sanction of funds for Kakatiya Mega Textile Park (KMTP):

KTR requested for sanction of Rs. 897.92 Cr for taking up infrastructure works at  Kakatiya Mega Textile Park in Warangal. He also requested early approval of the project. He also urged the Union Govt to finalize the policy for ‘Development of Manufacturing Regions for Textile and Apparel Sector (MRTA)’ so that projects of such scale like KMTP can be suitably benefitted.

He further stated that the Telangana government is developing the country’s largest Textile Park called Kakatiya Mega Textile Park (KMTP) over 1200 acres in Warangal, expected to house state-of the-art manufacturing facilities through the development strategy based on the ‘Fiber to Fashion’ Concept.

Sanction Mega Powerloom Cluster at Sircilla: 

In the letter, Minister KTR  requested the union government to sanction Mega Powerloom Cluster at Sircilla and sanction an amount of Rs. 49.84 Crores from out of the projected outlay of Rs. 993.65 Crores towards filling various gaps and to implement the components which include Infrastructure gaps, Modernization and Expansion of Production base, Strengthen of Value Chain, Market Development, Skill Development & Capacity Building and Administration, studies and Project Monitoring costs of Textile Park, Weaving and Apparel Park, at Sircilla, Telangana State. 
Minister KTR stated that the Government of Telangana with a unique intention to generate employment is setting up Weaving Park under Worker to Entrepreneur Scheme and Apparel Park at Sircilla. In order to make Textile Park, Sircilla more viable it is planned to restart the CFC at the existing Textile Park, Sircilla, he said. He also added that the Government of Telangana has been contributing a major share of Rs. 756.97 Crores in the Project.

Establish an Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (I.I.H.T) in Telangana:

Minister KTR also urged the Union Govt. to establish an Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (I.I.H.T) in Telangana. “After the bifurcation of the State of Andhra Pradesh, the existing Indian Institute of Handloom Technology, Venkatagiri has gone to the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh. At present there is no such Institute in Telangana State to offer courses in Diploma in Handloom Technology,” said the Minister. 
He also added that sufficient land with constructed building facility is available at Handloom Park, Pochampally, Yadadri Bhongir District for establishment of IIHT

Upgradation of Powerlooms under IN-SITU Scheme: 

Minister KTR also requested the Union Govt. for up-gradation of Powerlooms under IN-SITU Scheme. He stated that the Govt. of Telangana is willing to contribute 50% of the up gradation cost. Hence, it is requested to provide an adequate budget to upgrade the balance 13,886 power looms and sanction 50% of the Govt. of India contribution of Rs.13,88,60,000/- immediately and allow the scheme to be implemented continuously till upgradation of proposed looms are completed.

Minister KTR highlighted that 80% of the power looms of the State are located at Sircilla alone.

Sanction of Block Level Handloom Clusters (BLCs) under National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP):

The State Govt. has submitted proposals for sanction of 11 Block Level Handloom Clusters under NHDP to Govt. of India with the approval of SLPC with a total project cost of Rs.14.80 crores for the benefit of (2579) targeted beneficiaries, since the Implementing Agency for the above 11 proposed BLCs is Telangana State Textile Complex Cooperative Society Ltd., (TSTCCSL), Hyderabad. 

Further proposals for sanction of four more BLCs with project cost of Rs.6.02 crores are also with the Government of India for sanction, for which concerned Primary Weavers Cooperative Societies are the Implementing Agencies, the Minister added.

Minister KTR requested for sanction of 15 Block Level Handloom Clusters under NHDP. The 2nd installment proposals for (8) Block Level Clusters are with the Govt. of India for sanction of Rs.7.20 crores which may kindly be sanctioned at an early date,” he said.  

Minister KTR also requested the Union Govt to continue BLCs under NHDP during the next 5-year plan as the program is very useful to the weavers for the overall development of handlooms in the State of Telangana. 

Also requested to set up National Textile Research Institute and Handloom Export Promotion Council in Hyderabad. 
 
Request for relaxation of Bank Financing requirement under Amended Technology Upgradation Fund (ATUF) Scheme for large Textile Projects:

Minister KTR on behalf of the textile companies looking to set up new textile manufacturing units in Telangana, urged the Union Govt for relaxation of bank financing requirements under the ATUF Scheme for large Textile Projects. 

"I would like to request you relax the requirement of term loan financing of the project, from 50% at present, to a nominal 5% of the project cost. This will allow companies to finance their projects in a manner appropriate to their size and business requirements while ensuring adequate project scrutiny by notified lending institutions,"  said Minister KTR.

Minister KTR expressed a hope to receive a favorable response in the interest of the welfare of the weaver's community and the Handloom and Textile industry of the state.

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