Why in the news?

The central government has announced setting up 7 textile parks under the PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM-MITRA) scheme.

What is the PM MITRA scheme?

  • The PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM-MITRA) scheme is a government initiative launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Textiles. 
  • The primary objective of the PM-MITRA scheme is to boost the domestic textile industry’s global competitiveness and create employment opportunities in the sector. 
  • The 5F vision inspires the PM MITRA scheme, i.e. Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign. 
  • The PM MITRA scheme aspires to position India strongly on the Global textiles map and to fulfil India’s quest for Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Key Objectives of the Scheme

  • The scheme aims to establish large integrated textile parks in the country that provide world-class infrastructure, state-of-the-art machinery, and a complete textile value chain, from fibre to apparel. 
  • Under the scheme, the government provides financial assistance of up to 30 per cent of the project cost, subject to a maximum of Rs. 1000 crores per project, to eligible applicants to establish the integrated textile parks. 
  • The PM MITRA scheme is expected to benefit the textile industry by promoting economies of scale, reducing production costs, and increasing exports.

Need for the scheme

  • Due to the unorganised nature of the textile industry in the country, there has been an increase in wastage and logistical expenses, which have had a negative impact on the competitiveness of the textile sector.
  • The PM MITRA Parks embodies a distinctive model in which the Central and State Governments collaborate to enhance investment, stimulate innovation, generate employment opportunities, and ultimately establish India as a worldwide centre for textile production and exports.

Recent Context

  • The government has chosen 7 new locations in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh to establish new textile parks.
  • The government plans to invest around ₹70,000 crores into these textile parks, which are expected to generate employment opportunities for approximately 20 lakh individuals. 
  • These parks will serve as hubs for creating a comprehensive textiles value chain that includes spinning, weaving, processing, dyeing, printing, and garment manufacturing, all in one place.