Textiles Secretary Reviews Key Institutions, Policy Outcomes & Sector Challenges In Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 14 (KNN) Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Textiles Ministry and Chairperson, Textiles Committee began a two-day review visit to Mumbai to evaluate programme implementation, institutional performance, and policy outcomes across key organisations under the Ministry.

While reviewing the handlooms and allied sectors, and accompanied by Dr. M. Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), she held discussions focused on strengthening coordination between central and state-level initiatives and addressing sectoral challenges impacting Maharashtra’s textile ecosystem.

Rao began her engagements at the Textiles Committee, where she reviewed its functioning against the mandate of the Textiles Committee Act, 1963.

She recommended restructuring and realigning its operational focus to support evolving industry requirements, stressing the importance of enhanced scientific, technical, and economic research. 

She also underlined the Committee’s role in bridging the industry and government through timely and data-driven policy inputs.

During her visit to the Synthetic & Art Silk Mills’ Research Association (SASMIRA), the Secretary reviewed ongoing work in technical textiles, man-made fibres, and sustainable textile innovation. 

She noted its contributions to testing services, training, and capacity building, and encouraged further alignment of research priorities with global sustainability and recycling objectives.

At the Weavers Service Centre, the review covered key handloom schemes, including the National Handloom Development Programme, Cluster Development Programme, and marketing support initiatives. 

Rao emphasised technology adoption, e-commerce integration, and strengthening the Handloom Mark to improve the visibility and market reach of handloom products.

Her interaction with the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL) focused on export competitiveness, market diversification, and the promotion of value-added cotton textiles, including efforts under the Kasturi Cotton Bharat initiative. 

A subsequent meeting with the Man-made Textiles Export Promotion Council (MATEXIL) examined export trends, challenges in synthetic and blended textiles, and strategies to enhance global presence, with an emphasis on sustainability-oriented export models and greater use of free trade agreements.

At the Textile Commissioner’s Office, flagship interventions such as PM MITRA, the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Textiles, and the SAMARTH skill development programme were reviewed.

(KNN Bureau)