Unused textile land in Puducherry to be utilised for industrial and tourism purpose

Puducherry, July 21 (KNN) Puducherry Home Minister A. Namassivayam said on Thursday that the UT government has started the procedure to utilise the land belonging to the now defunct Anglo French Textiles and Swadeshi Cotton Mills for industrial and tourism promotion activities, reported The Hindu.

Speaking at the launch of CII Centres of Excellence’s Capacity Building Programme for MSMEs, he said the vast area of land where the mills used to function could be utilised to set up an apparel park, IT units and ventures to promote tourism.

The government was in the process of clearing the liabilities of both the mills.

According to him, 90% of the arrears of employees who worked at AFT have been cleared. The Centre has now conceded to the territorial administration’s request to waive off interest arrears of loan the Swadeshi Mill owed to the National Textiles Corporation.

Only the principal amount of Rs 37 crore has to be repaid by the UT. A sum of Rs 29 crore had been set aside in the current Budget for repayment of a part of the principal amount this year.

The Minister who also holds the Education portfolio said, the ownership of the mill would be back in the hands of the territorial administration once the liabilities are cleared.

“The liabilities of both the mills will be cleared very soon. We will take possession of the land and utilise the area for industrial and tourism promotion activities,” the Minister said.

Extending all possible assistance for business promotion, the Minister said the government was also considering the demand of entrepreneurs in Industrial Estates to get ownership of plots.

Several entrepreneurs operating in the estates have asked the government to accord ownership title for plots where they have set up units. The demand is being considered, the Minister said.  (KNN Bureau)