Focus of Maharashtra’s new textile policy on generating employment

State Textile Minister Chandrakant Patil told the Legislative Assembly that the new textile policy would be unveiled soon that will address issues of high electricity tariff and also include measures such as cotton-to-garment-manufacturing at a single point for setting up textile units.

The focus of new textile policy would be also on setting up textile parks in Vidarbha and Marathwada. It’s not only expected to reduce farmer suicides but also generate employment.

Cooperative minister Chandrakant Patil said that as part of the new policy, they have demarcated 250 acres of land in Amrawati for the textile park, for which a firm from Tamil Nadu has shown interest. Their policy is cotton-to-garment in one place. By doing this, they will save transport cost and generate jobs. It will increase the rate of cotton and generate jobs for children of farmers, they won’t need to go elsewhere looking for employment.

Presently, 80% of cotton from Vidarbha, Marathwada and Khandesh goes to Tamil Nadu for processing via Gujarat’s ports. Although these regions are number one in producing cotton but don’t have a good market to sell the crop. If the government execute its plan well, then the new policy will reduce farmer suicides, said farmer leader Nanasaheb Patil.

A senior BJP minister assured that prime minister Narendra Modi is batting for ‘Make in India’ and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for ‘Make in Maharashtra’. As part of this long-term strategy, they want Maharashtra and India number one in export. It will generate huge revenue for the state and Centre and farmers will benefit by getting good rates for their crops. They want to be self-sufficient, not depend on government for packages and compensations every time.

A farmer from Jalgaon, Ishawar Patil, said that Khandesh too is one of the major cotton producers but the state government has not yet announced any textile park there.