The government has said concrete steps are being taken to set up textile parks across the country in a big way with emphasis on linking these with tourism. “As many as 24 textile parks have been set up in different parts of the country in the last two years of the BJP-led NDA government. Now, we are trying to link this key sector with tourism,” Textiles Minister Santosh Gangwar said in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.The minister linked textiles with tourism, saying that the Centre has already provided Rs 10 crore for development of Raghurajpur area in Odisha, which is famous for its ‘pattachitra’ paintings. Steps would also be taken to identify areas with tourism potential where textile and weaving activities have been in vogue, said Gangwar, who is on a visit to Odisha as part of celebrations marking completion of two years of the NDA government at the Centre. But Gangwar regretted that not a single proposal has been received from the Odisha Government for development of the garment and apparel sector though textile parks have so far been set up in 11 states. “The Centre is keen to provide all forms of assistance if the state government sends any proposal for textile parks and similar projects,” he said. Gangwar said the Centre is also taking appropriate measures for promoting the textile sector in a big way in north-eastern states. The minister noted that with China slowing down, India’s neighbours like Bangladesh and Myanmar are fast emerging as major competitors. Gangwar emphasized that India must gear up to meet the challenges from these countries,and hoped that the Rs 6,000 crore package will play a major role in giving a boost to the textile and apparel sector.
