Ministry of Textiles holds Bengaluru consultation with states and industry stakeholders

The Ministry of Textiles organized the South Zone Consultation Workshop on New Textile Schemes (Budget Announcements 2026-27) in Bengaluru on 21.04.2026. The event included participation from ministry officials and its verticals, representatives from Southern States and Union Territories, and stakeholders from the textile industry. Discussions were held on initiatives announced in the Union Budget 2026-27.

Addressing the session, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles emphasized that the textile sector is poised to play a pivotal role in achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047. She highlighted the need for strengthening forward and backward linkages across the value chain, with equal focus on quality and quantity, modernization, circularity and evolving consumer preferences. She also stressed the importance of effective utilization of pre and post-consumer textile waste.

Dr. M. Beena, IAS, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), highlighted that the schemes announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 are designed to provide integrated support to the textile sector and will significantly benefit artisans, weavers, and other stakeholders.

Smt. Padmini Singla, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, addressed queries and provided clarifications during consultations with State departments on the new schemes. She also noted the challenges faced by States and outlined approaches to address them.

Smt. Arti Kanwar, IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, detailed policy measures and incentives, including subsidies for modernization and support for indigenous machinery manufacturing. She referred to provisions such as Employment Linked Incentives (ELI), top-up subsidies, wage subsidies, and coverage under ESIC and EPF. She also highlighted initiatives related to cluster infrastructure, innovation, branding, plug-and-play textile parks, and the establishment of Textile Seva Kendras.

Shri Akhilesh Kumar, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Textiles, discussed Samarth 2.0, which focuses on skill development through multiple approaches, including traditional and industry-relevant courses, mobile-based technologies, workforce training, and dual certification systems.

Shri P. Sivakumar, IFS, Member Secretary, Central Silk Board, highlighted that initiatives should remain stakeholder-focused and aligned with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of “Farm to Foreign”.

The workshop included discussions on schemes such as the Integrated Programme for Textile Sector, National Fibre Scheme (NFS), Textile Expansion & Employment (TEEM) Scheme, National Handloom & Handicraft Programme (NHHP), Samarth 2.0, Tex-Eco Initiative, Mega Textile Parks, and the Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative (MGGSI). These initiatives are aimed at strengthening the textile value chain, promoting sustainability, and supporting employment generation.