The Telangana Government is in the process of formulating a textiles and apparel policy that contemplates waiver of personal loans of individual handloom weavers.
Neither the cap on loans like in the case of farmers or the date when it should be made applicable has not yet been decided. Fresh loans were proposed to be given at 3% interest. The policy is still under discussion at the government level, a senior official said.
The official told The Hindu that the government is also studying what kind of subsidies could be given for capital investment and purchase of equipment by entrepreneurs. Tax incentives and power subsidy are being examined. A number of players in textiles industry at the national and international levels are awaiting the policy to invest and participate in production at Warangal textiles park. The policy targets investments of at least five international and fifty domestic companies and setting up of five new textile parks with a view to generate employment for three lakh persons, a majority of them women. They will be invited to invest in spinning, weaving, processing and garment sectors. Linkage of technology to existing facilities in the industry and skill development will be focussed, sources said. On employment front, the objective is to see that the wages of individual weavers go up by at least 50%.
A market-friendly environment for the products of rural artisans and providing incentives to distressed weavers will be at the core of the policy which is being drafted with a five-year vision. Land for investors will be allotted from the land bank of Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation. Housing for workers and staff are proposed within the textile parks.
The government proposed a monthly stipend of ₹3,000 for people who underwent training and skill development at a fabric designing institute that will be set up with government aid. After 45 days of training, the trainees will be contracted to work in the institute for one year. Degree and diploma courses in designing and fashion engineering will be offered at the institute.
The State will extend 40% concession on purchase of yarn by textiles industry in addition to the 10% already given by Centre. A power subsidy for power looms operating with motors of 27 HP capacity is also being examined. The government will procure purchase orders from weavers.
