PM Mitra Scheme 2022 – 7 Mega Textile Parks Approved by Cabinet

The new scheme aims to create world-class infrastructure with plug-and-play facilities that enable major investments in exports.

PM Mitra Scheme 2022 – 7 Mega Textile Parks Approved by Cabinet
PM Mitra Scheme 2022 – 7 Mega Textile Parks Approved by Cabinet

PM Mitra Scheme 2022 – 7 Mega Textile Parks Approved by Cabinet

The new scheme aims to create world-class infrastructure with plug-and-play facilities that enable major investments in exports.

What is PM Mitra Scheme 2022

On 6 October 2021, cabinet approved seven new mega textile parks under PM Mitra Scheme. The new scheme aims to create world-class infrastructure with plug-and-play facilities that enable major investments in exports. The parks are a part of the government’s “Farm to Fiber to Factory to Fashion to Foreign” push and will generate 1 lakh direct & 2 lakh indirect employment per park.

The government had first proposed the Mega Investment Textiles Parks (MITRA) scheme back in February, to enable the textile industry to become globally competitive and boost employment generation and exports. These Mega Investment Textiles Parks will be set up at greenfield or brownfield sites located in different willing states.

Need for Mega Investment Textiles Parks (MITRA) Scheme

Currently, the entire value chain of textiles is scattered & fragmented in different parts of the country. This includes:-

  • Cotton grown in Gujarat & Maharashtra,
  • Spinning in Tamil Nadu
  • Processing in Rajasthan & Gujarat
  • Garmenting in the National Capital Region, Bangalore, Kolkata etc
  • Exports from Mumbai & Kandla

So to integrate the currently scattered value chain of textile products, PM Mitra Scheme has been launched by the central government. Several states such as Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh & Telangana have expressed interest in PM Mitra Yojana.

Big plans

The scheme will have two parts, with the larger component being development support. The government estimates the cost of setting up each park at an estimated Rs. 1700 crore. "Of this, upto 30 percent of the project cost or Rs, 500 crore in greenfield parks, and upto Rs. 200 crore in brownfield parks will be provided by the government as development capital support," Goyal said.

On the other hand, the first movers who establish anchor plants and hire atleast 100 people will also also get a competitive incentive support from the government. These businesses can secure upto Rs. 10 crore in a year for three years or a total of Rs. 30 crore under this formula, the Minister stressed. He added this will not be part of the existing PLI scheme.

The government wants 'holistic integrated textile processing regions' to be established around these parks. This would include common services centres, design centres, research and development centres, training facilities, medical and housing facilities as well as Inland Container Terminals and logistics warehouses.

Officials say the scheme was conceived keeping in mind that it will work in tandem with the production-linked incentive scheme(PLI) in the textiles sector. Last month, the government had notified the Rs 10,683-crore PLI, specifically aimed at boosting the production of man-made fibre (MMF) fabric, MMF apparel and technical textiles.

Moneycontrol had reported how the government, pushed by the Textiles Ministry had changed its basic parameters for PIs, till then. While most PLIs targeted high-value goods or those that would cut import dependence, synthetic fibres, which include rayon, nylon, polyester and acrylic, and technical textiles don’t come under either category.

Both schemes together are expected to turn the tide on falling investments and decreasing productivity in the sector.

Components of PM MITRA Parks

New PM Mitra Scheme will have 2 parts, with the larger component being development support. The government estimates the cost of setting up each park at an estimated Rs. 1700 crore. Out of this, upto 30% of the project cost or Rs, 500 crore in greenfield parks, and upto Rs. 200 crore in brownfield parks will be provided by the government as development capital support.

On the other hand, the first movers who establish anchor plants and hire atleast 100 people will also also get a competitive incentive support from the government. These businesses can secure upto Rs. 10 crore in a year for three years or a total of Rs. 30 crore under this formula. In addition, this will not be part of the existing PLI scheme.

PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (MITRA) Park Scheme Benefits

Central government wants “holistic integrated textile processing regions” to be established around Mega Investment Textiles Parks. These newly established mega textile parks would include the following facilities:-

  • Common services centres
  • Design centres
  • Research and development centres
  • Training facilities
  • Medical facilities
  • Housing facilities
  • Inland Container Terminals
  • Logistics warehouses

PM Mitra Scheme was conceived with an aim to work in tandem with the production-linked incentive scheme (PLI) in the textiles sector. In September 2021 month, the central government had notified the Rs. 10,683-crore PLI, specifically aimed at boosting the production of man-made fibre (MMF) fabric, MMF apparel and technical textiles.

In the recent months, central government pushed by the Textiles Ministry had changed its basic parameters for PLIs. While most PLIs targeted high-value goods or those that would cut import dependence, synthetic fibres, which include rayon, nylon, polyester and acrylic, and technical textiles don’t come under either category. Both schemes together are expected to turn the tide on falling investments and decreasing productivity in the sector.

Lot at stake

In terms of employment, the textiles and apparel industry in India is only behind the overall agricultural sector. It provides direct employment to 45 million people and 60 million people in allied industries, according to Invest India, the government’s investment promotion arm.

India is among the world’s largest producers of textiles products and apparel. The domestic textiles and apparel industry contributes five percent to India’s GDP, seven percent of industry output in value terms, and 12 percent of the country’s export earnings.

The share of India’s textiles and apparel exports in mercantile exports was 11 percent in 2019-20. With the commerce minister now responsible for the sector, the unique trade issues that have eaten away at India’s competitiveness in the global market for textiles are now expected to be given more focus. Indian companies and exporters have continuously lost market share overseas to more aggressive rivals from China, Bangladesh, and Thailand. This has been excruciatingly large in segments like apparel.