Union Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Textiles Anand Sharma on Friday reviewed industry-related issues with the State governments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka at a meeting at Kovalam.
On the National Manufacturing Policy, Mr. Sharma said three National Manufacturing and Investment Zones — Tumkur, Karnataka; Chittoor and Medak in Andhra Pradesh — had been given in-principle approval.
Representatives from Tamil Nadu raised the problems faced by the Tirupur textile industry in the wake of the Supreme Court judgment. The Union Minister promised the Tamil Nadu government full support from the Centre to meet the requirements of the textile workers.
Mr. Sharma said the recent announcement of 21 new Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks had taken the total number of such parks to 61. “A large number of these parks were in the southern States. They need to take full advantage of the scheme,” added Mr. Sharma.
The Andhra Pradesh delegation was informed about the upcoming National Institute of Design and a branch of Footwear Design and Development Institute in the State.Minister for Industries and IT P.K. Kunhalikutty; Tamil Nadu Minister for Industry P. Thangamani; and Minister for Handloom Sundara Raj; Union Commerce Secretary, S. R. Rao; CEO and MD of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Amitabh Kant attended.
Projects for Kerala
Addressing the media after the conference and a meeting with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Mr. Sharma said it was agreed in principle at the discussions with the Chief Minister for insurance in the plantation sector with the involvement of the Centre, State, and farmers and growers. Mr. Sharma announced setting up a spices park in Wayanad as the State had agreed to give 15 acres and a convention centre at Kochi. Infrastructure for three ports at Azhekkal, Beypore and Kollam were also given the clearance at the meeting with the Chief Minister. The Institute of Handloom Technology at Kannur at a cost of Rs.4.25 crore and a Handloom and Handicraft village at Chennamangalam in Ernakulam were also given the nod.
