The textile policy for 2023–2028 was adopted by the Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday with a goal of creating 5 lakh jobs in the industry during that time.
According to the government’s document, the new integrated and sustainable policy’s goal is “Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign”. The main focus will be on raising cotton’s processing potential to 80% from its current 30%, luring in investments worth Rs 25,000 crore, and creating 5 lakh jobs. The policy also plans to establish a state textile corporation – The Maharashtra State Textile Development Corporation (MSTDC) – a separate body for supporting schemes for the sector, and six textile parks throughout the state.
Additionally, the policy aims to preserve the state’s indigenous textiles, including the Paithani, Himru, Karvat Kathi, Khana, and Ghongadi. The annual pay for weavers of these traditional fabrics is Rs. 15,000 for women and Rs. 10,000 for men. The State Government will also launch a programme to give one free saree to every family in the state that falls below the poverty line (BPL) every year.
However, the powerloom operators in Ichalkaranji are not content. They said that simple powerlooms are semi-automatic looms used to weave thread into cloth. Experts in the field estimate that there are 8-9 lakh simple powerloom units. The number is decreasing as improved automatic powerlooms, which can create high-quality cloth more quickly, are given more attention.
Vinay Mahajan, president of Ichalkaranji’s powerloom operators’ association, said, “In the earlier textile policies, the powerlooms used to be in focus. Now, the powerlooms are losing importance in the eyes of the policymakers. However, powerlooms provide nearly 8 lakh jobs and contribute around 55% of the total revenue.”
