Ludhiana: Ludhiana will be shortly having a National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). This was announced by the Union Minister of Textiles K.S Rao at the interaction with the representatives of Ludhiana Integrated Textile Park and Knitwear Club in the presence of Manish Tewari, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting here today.

The Union Textile Minister also announced that he alongwith Mr Tewari will take up the issue of “anti-dumping duty” on some goods where it is badly needed with the Union Finance Ministry. Rao also announced Rs. 10 crore for Exhibition Centre within the upcoming Apparel Park, for the textile sector in the town. He also assured all possible support from the Government of India to promote the knitwear industry. Agreeing to the industry demand for a training centre in the city, the Minister said that District Industries Centre (DIC) will be asked for immediate action. In order to promote training of unskilled labour, Rao announced that the Centre will provide Rs. 10,000 for each trainee whom the industry undertakes to train.

In his remarks, Manish Tewari said that the Government has a responsibility to promote industry in all possible ways. Recalling the general norms of making available land and bearing capital cost for setting up of an NIFT by the State Government, Tewari suggested that PPP Model could be considered for Ludhiana as industry was willing to provide land for the purpose. He emphasized that opening an NIFT in Ludhiana was the need of the hour to further develop the industry and to provide employment opportunities to the local youth.

Tewari further said that the people of Punjab are industrious and have progressed under all conditions, with or without Government support. It is imperative to lend them necessary support to quicken the pace of progress and development. He expressed confidence that all possible support will be made available by the Ministry of Textiles. The Minister further said that as each household in Ludhiana is connected with Textile/Hosiery industry, the demanded support will go a long way in promoting the cause of this sector. He further said the Textiles Minister was apprised of the various issues related to the sector following his deliberations and interactions with various organizations of this sector during his visit to Ludhiana.

Those who support and present on the occasion includes former Ministers of Punjab Sh. Surinder Singla, Sh. Ishar Singh Meharban, Sh. Malkit Singh Dakha, Sh. Malkit Singh Birmi, local MLA Sh. Rakesh Pandey, Sh. Surinder Dawar, DCC (U) President Sh. Pawan Dewan, Ex-MLA Sh. Jassi Khangura, Sh. Gurmail Singh Pehalwan, Sh. Ashok Prashar Pappi, District Mahila Congress President Smt. Leena Taparia, Sh. Darshan Dawar, President of Knitwear Club, Sh. Narinder Miglani, General Secretary  and Smt. Monika Garg, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles.

The steps included removal of Central Excise Duty on certain items. He also promised to take up the issue of warehousing facilities in major Latin American countries. To the Industry’s demand of anti-dumping duty on cheap products being sent by China, Indonesia and Bangladesh, Rao assured that he and Tewari will take up the issue with the Ministry of Finance.