By IANS
New Delhi : The government will undertake a major skill training programme in the manufacturing sector to overcome shortage of skilled manpower with the industry expected to grow annually at an average 16 percent.
At a meeting of the High Level Committee on Manufacturing (HLCM) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, it was decided to accord high priority to the apparel and garments sector which is a high employment generating sector.
The committee was set up as there is shortage in the supply of textile machinery, which is also impeding the growth of the textiles and garments sector.
The committee, which met Thursday, decided that specific policies to encourage the sector would be put in place with high priority in plan allocations for this sector.
The meeting decided to set up an expert committee to prepare a comprehensive long term fibre policy covering both cotton and manmade fibres and highlighted that adequate supply of fibre is essential for the long term growth of the textiles and garment industry.
India has been lagging behind in technical textiles which include Agrotech, Geotech, Autotech, Buildtech, which are an important area with high growth potential and also for exports.
The HLCM decided that the recommendations of the expert committee report would be implemented on a priority basis within six months.
The two important schemes viz – Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) and the Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) – would be continued and provided with adequate funds in the 11th Plan to ensure robust growth of the textile and garments sector.