Technology Upgradation To Boost Textiles Exports

Annexure-I

Measures taken to streamline the process under ATUFS

1.         Delegation of Powers: Financial powers were delegated to Textiles Commissioner to approve all JIT reports and release payments upto Rs. 5 crore. All individual cases with a subsidy amount more than Rs. 5 crore, will be forwarded to the Ministry of Textiles after according approval of Textile Commissioner for obtaining concurrence of Internal Finance Wing and release to the banks/lending agencies.

2.         Geo-tagging and digital signature: System of geo-tagging of machinery has been implemented and digital signatures by the units/ banks/ offices of Textile Commissioner have also been introduced in the i-TUFS software.

3.         Admissibility of Packing List for verification of serial number of imported machinery: Inter Ministerial Steering Committee (IMSC) in its meeting held on 27.02.2019 had decided to seek a clarification from D/o Revenue with regard to acceptability of packing list for verification of machine serial number in respect imported machinery. In view of advice of Department of Revenue, it has been clarified that Packing List in respect of imported machinery be allowed for verification of machinery serial number.

4.         Serial Number of machineries not mentioned in the invoice, packing list or any other shipping document:  IMSC in its meeting held on 24.10.2019 decided that in case the machine serial number is not mentioned in the original invoice / shipping documents, a certificate indicating the machine serial numbers against the machines supplied through a particular invoice can be obtained from the OEM and the claim can be accepted if such machinery with specified serial number is verified by the Joint Inspection Team (JIT) at the time of physical inspection of the unit.

Annexure-II

Details of various other actions taken by the Government to boost textile sector

1. Special Package for Textile and Apparel sector: Rs 6000 crore package was launched in June 2016 to boost employment and export potential in the apparel and made up segments.  This package consists of Remission of State Levies for garmenting and made-ups; additional production and employment linked subsidy of 10% under ATUFS for garmenting; assistance for the entire 12% employers’ contribution towards EPF; fixed term employment in garmenting, increasing overtime caps; and income tax concessions under section 80JJAA for the garmenting sector.
2. Textiles India 2017: The Ministry of Textiles organized a 3-day mega textile exhibition namely, Textiles India 2017 from 30^th June to 2^nd July, 2017 at Gujarat. The principal objective of organizing the said mega event was to bring all segments of the Textiles sector under one umbrella trade event and showcase the strength of the Indian Textiles sector to the world. This event witnessed participation of buyers from 105 countries, international delegates and representatives and artisans and weavers.
3.  Enhanced Customs Duty to boost domestic manufacturing: To boost indigenous production and Make in India, Government has increased Basic Customs Duty from 10% to 20% on 501 textile products.
4. Power Tex India:  A comprehensive scheme for powerloom sector was launched in April, 2017 with an outlay of Rs. 487 crore for three years.  This scheme has components relating to powerloom upgradation; infrastructure creation and concessional access to credit,. The scheme has been designed to attract investment of Rs. 1000 crore and employment to 10000 persons in the powerloom sector and will also result in higher returns to powerloom units.
5.  National Handloom Development Programme and National Handicrafts Development Programme: These programmes aim at holistic development of handloom and handicrafts clusters through integrated approach. The strategic interventions under the programme include financial assistance for new upgraded looms and accessories, design innovation, product and infrastructure development, skill upgradation, training, setting up of Mega clusters for increasing manufacturing and exports, easy access to working capital through customized Mudra loans for weavers and artisans and direct marketing support to weavers and artisans.
6. 'India Handloom Brand' Scheme has been launched by the Government in 2015 to enhance the quality in weaving, designing and defect free handloom products for safeguarding the interest of the buyers in the domestic and international markets. It will promote production of niche handloom products with high quality, authentic traditional designs with zero defect and zero effect on environment.
7. SAMARTH- The Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SCBTS):  The scheme has been approved with an outlay of Rs 1300 crore with a target to train 10 lakh people in various segments of textile sector by March 2020.
8. Silk Samagra: Government of India has been implementing a Central Sector Scheme “Silk Samagra” for development of sericulture in the country with components such as Research & Development, Training, Transfer of Technology and I.T Initiatives, support to seed organisations, coordination and market development and, quality certification Systems (QCS)/ Export Brand Promotion and Technology Upgradation. R&D efforts have also been initiated to evolve new products by blending silk with other fibres such as wool, coir, cotton etc., which have demand in international markets.
9. Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP): This scheme is implemented in Public Private Partnership mode to attract private investments in developing new clusters of textiles manufacturing. Government of India provides financial assistance up to 40% of the project within a ceiling of   Rs. 40 crores. 19 new projects were sanctioned from 2014 onwards.
10. North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS): This scheme promotes textiles industry in the North Eastern Region by providing infrastructure, capacity building and marketing support to all segments of textile industry. The scheme has an outlay of Rs. 500 crores during 2017-18 to 2019-20.
11.     Integrated Wool Development Programme (IWDP): Government of India has recently approved IWDP for implementation during 2017-18 to 2019-20 after integrating and rationalization of various schemes for holistic growth of wool sector by providing support to entire chain of wool sector from wool rearer to end consumer to increase the wool production as well as its quality.
12.     Jute (ICARE): A project Jute ICARE (Improved Cultivation and Advanced Retting Exercise) was introduced in 2015 for improving productivity and quality of raw jute through carefully designed interventions. The project has benefitted more than 1.33 lakhs farmers in various states in the country.
13.   JUTE - SMART: The Office of the Jute Commissioner has developed an end-to-end web-based platform for procurement, inspection and dispatch of jute bags which is transparent, rule based, simple to use and real time.
14.     The Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) work in close co-operation with various organizations of the Government to promote the growth and export of their respective sectors viz. readymade garments, cotton, silk, jute, powerloom, handloom, handicrafts and carpets, in global markets.  EPCs participate and organize fairs and exhibitions and standalone shows in India & overseas markets to enhance exports and access new markets.
15.       Enhancement of rates under Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS): To further boost exports of apparel & made-up sectors, interest rates under Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) has been enhanced from 2% to 4% for apparel, 5% to 7% for made-ups, handloom and handicrafts w.e.f. 1^st November, 2017.
16. Interest rate subvention: Credit interest rate subvention for pre and post shipment was restored in 2015 for three years. The Government has enhanced interest equalization rate for pre and post shipment credit for the textile sector from 3% to 5 % from 02.11.2018.
17.  Market Access Initiative (MAI): The objective of scheme is to promote India's exports on a sustained basis. The scheme is formulated on product-focus country approach to evolve specific market and specific product through market studies/survey. The following activities are eligible for financial assistance under the scheme:

• Marketing Projects Abroad
• Capacity Building
• Support for Statutory Compliances
• Studies
• Project Development
• Developing Foreign Trade Facilitation web Portal
• To support Cottage and handicrafts units

Annexure-III

  Scheme-wise funds allocated under handloom sector during 2019-20