Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced an integrated programme for the labour-intensive textile sector, aimed at boosting self-reliance, expanding employment, and strengthening traditional and modern textile ecosystems.
The programme includes the National Fibre Scheme to promote self-sufficiency in natural, man-made and new-age fibres; a Textile Expansion and Employment Scheme to create jobs; the National Handloom and Handicraft Scheme to support artisans; the Tex-Eco Initiative to encourage sustainable textile practices; and Samarth 2.0 to enhance skill development across the sector.
She also proposed setting up mega textile parks in challenge mode to attract investment and scale up production. In addition, she announced the Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative to strengthen Khadi, handloom and handicrafts, reinforcing rural livelihoods and traditional industries.
The measures underline the government’s focus on making India a global textile hub while generating large-scale employment.