Ludhiana, Sept 11 (KNN)  The city of hosiery and textiles will shortly have the prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) setting up its centre there.  Since Ludhiana textile and hosiery industry is willing to provide land for the project, the opening of the new NIFT centre can be considered under the public private partnership (PPP) model.

This was stated by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari today who visited the city along with the Minister of Textiles K S Rao.

Ludhiana will be the 16th domestic centre after Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, Kangra, Kannur, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Patna, Rae Bareli and Shillong.  

Meanwhile, Ludhiana also has a large number of small and medium textile units.  

Recalling the general norms of making available land and bearing capital cost for setting up of a NIFT by the State government, Tewari suggested that PPP Model could be considered for Ludhiana as the industry was willing to provide land for the purpose.

The two ministers also agreed to take up the issue of anti-dumping duty on cheap goods being sent by China, Indonesia and Bangladesh into the Indian markets.

Later, Rao exhorted the entrepreneurs of Ludhiana to produce more as industrial production is the backbone for any economy and India needs this support at this crucial juncture, when the economy needs higher production and larger exports.

He also said that issues related to textiles imports have been resolved by the Centre. The steps included removal of central excise duty on certain items.  He also promised to take up the issue of warehousing facilities in major Latin American countries.

Rao also announced Rs 10 crore for constructing an exhibition centre within the upcoming Apparel Park in the town.  He assured all possible support from the central government to promote the knitwear industry. (KNN/GUNJ)