India’s government launched two new initiatives in Nagaland to bolster apparel and textile growth in the North East Region.
The country’s Minister of State for Textiles, Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, this week laid the groundwork for an Apparel and Garment Making Center in Dimapur, the largest city in Nagaland.
Gangwar also announced the establishment of a Weavers’ Service Center in Toluvi, the northeastern state of Nagaland.
The government said the plans demonstrate its steps to make development inclusive and participatory. They also build upon the Make in India initiative, which works to promote the textile industry in the North East region.
To work toward this promotion, the Ministry of Textiles created the North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS), an umbrella scheme for the development of several textile sectors including, silk, handlooms, handicrafts, and apparel and garments. The scheme is investing a total of Rs. 1038.10 crore (nearly $168 million) in the 12th Five Year Plan.
In December 2014, the prime minister launched a landmark initiative under NERTPS, toward construction for apparel and garment factories in North Eastern states. With this initiative each state will have its own center with three units.
The project will be completely funded by the Ministry, with an estimated expense of Rs. 18.18 crores ($2.95 million) per state. The main focus of the initiative will be on the construction of facilities, purchase of machinery and capacity building for the next three years. It is estimated that each center will generate 1,200 jobs. India’s National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd. will be responsible for building the centers and installing the machinery.