TN, Gujarat powerlooms took max benefits of solar energy scheme

Textile Commissioner Kavita Gupta said maximum benefits of government’s promotional schemes for powerloom textile industry have been taken by entrepreneurs from Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

“The ministry of textiles has announced several promotional schemes for powerloom textile industry but there is hardly any awareness in the industry. The maximum benefit of these schemes have been taken by the entrepreneurs of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat,” Gupta said at the Buyer-Seller Meet and Textile Exhibition here.

The textile ministry has recently announced Solar Energy Scheme for small powerloom units, on-grid solar PV plant (without battery backup) and off-grid solar PV plant (with battery backup), where government will provide Rs 2.50 lakh subsidy per unit. She said this scheme will help the unit to pay back bank loans within 3-4 years, after which the unit shall get practically free electricity.

Currently, there are 25 lakh powerlooms in the country out of which 50 per cent are in Maharashtra. Also, there are 108 powerloom clusters in the country and 72 textile parks. Meanwhile, Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) President Rahul Mehta said the apparel export for 2016-17 was 16.8 billion dollars and the target for 2017-18 is 20 billion dollars.

“However, the export target for 2017-18 will not be attainable and is likely to remain at the last year’s level. Also, the new duty drawback rates, that ended on September 30 are not yet announced. If these rates are around 2-3 per cent, the total incentive will be around 8 per cent, which was 11.50-12 per cent earlier,” Mehta said.