Central govt’s supportive initiatives helped Punjab grow its textile exports by 3% from the previous financial year, rising from Rs 12,043.2 crore to Rs 12,241.43 crore. The central textile ministry has now put this modest progress of the state’s fabric industry on record.
In response to a parliamentary query from Aam Aadmi Party’s MP Raghav Chadha, the ministry detailed efforts to revive Punjab’s textile sector, which include skill development, financial incentives, and export promotion schemes. Under the Samarth Scheme, the govt is providing the industry with demand-driven, placement-oriented training aligned with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) that 900-odd beneficiaries from Punjab have received, so far.
To boost textile exports, the govt is implementing the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) scheme for apparel, garments, and made-ups. Other textile products, including those from Punjab, fall under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme. Additionally, financial assistance is being extended to export promotion councils and trade bodies under the Market Access Initiative Scheme, supporting participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, and buyer-seller meetings at national and international levels.
The Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) aims at bolstering the industry’s infrastructure, with three projects sanctioned in Punjab — Lotus Integrated Tex Park, Rhythm Textile and Apparel Park, and Ludhiana Integrated Textile Park. Further support comes through the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which targets large-scale manufacturing in man-made fabric, apparel, and technical textiles.
