Mumbai: Newly-appointed textile minister Piyush Goyal, on Saturday, said his meeting with industry representatives were aimed to develop the value chain and it will benefit cotton farmers, attract private investment and increase share of exports. Goyal, who was accompanied by minister of state for textile Darshana Jardosh, said textile can play a very important role in fulfilling prime minister Narendra Modi’s dream of doubling income, creating more jobs for youth and enabling every citizen to live a life of self-reliance and self-respect.
Goyal chaired a series of meetings that reviewed the functioning of Textiles Cotton Corporation of India, Textile Research Associations, including Synthetic and Art Silk Mills’ Research Association, Bombay Textile Research Association, and Wool Research Association.
Goyal viewed that the applications received under subsidy-oriented schemes should be processed in a transparent manner using automation, keeping in view the broad objective of each scheme. Necessary mechanisms must also be devised so that personal contact of industry and department can be eliminated and standardize process-free discretion. Special dispensation for MSME must be done for recorded reasons.
To accelerate the progress of TUF scheme, the minister suggested that major issues must be outlined and deliberations with stakeholders, including banks must be arranged to resolve issues. He also suggested that formats for submission of statutory returns from the industry may be simplified.
He expressed the need of stepping up the productivity of cotton and necessary initiatives to be taken up with the ministry of agriculture and farmers’ welfare. The Cotton Corporation of India must work towards possibilities for providing kapas plucking machines for cotton farmers through start-ups established by way of availing mudra loan. Special models must be developed to support small players.
