India's Maharashtra will launch new textile policy

The State of Maharashtra in India is considering subsidizing the Power Weaving Machine and Handloom Division in the country’s first textile policy in the history of the country. This textile strategy may be approved by the State Cabinet this month.

Naseem Khan, the textile minister of the state, said that the government is considering funding for the power loom and handloom department, especially in the two cotton-producing regions.

The purpose of the textile policy is to ensure that the entire state’s cotton production is processed locally and creates approximately 1.2 million jobs.

At present, the state produces 9.2 million bales (170 kilograms) of cotton, most of which are shipped to neighboring states for processing.

The government has identified 17 areas in the country as the main cotton production area. Once the textile policy is implemented, the government will encourage these areas to process cotton through joint ventures and the private sector. In addition to creating job opportunities, the government hopes that the new textile policy will increase state government revenue.

The state's textile policy will be included in the Federal Government's Technology Update Program, which applies to the textile industry.