Question : Textile Mills Functioning

(a) the number of textile mills functioning in the country at present, State-wise;

(b) the number of textile mills closed down during the last three years and the current year along with the reasons therefor;

(c) the steps taken by the Government for the rehabilitation of the workers rendered unemployed due to closure of textile mills in the country;

(d) whether the Government has received any representation with regard to the problems being faced by the small and medium textile industries; and

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF TEXTILES
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a): As on 30.09.2019, there are 1366 operational Cotton / man-made fibre textile mills in the country. The State-wise number of operational mills is at Annexure-I. In addition, National Textile Corporation (NTC) has 23 operational mills and five Joint Ventures (JV) as per details in Annexure-II.

(b): Mills have been closed in the country, over the years mainly owing to financial problems and labour related issues. 187 mills had closed during 2009-10 to 2015-16 period. During last three years i.e., 2016-17 to 2018-19, 41 cotton/man-made fibre textile mills have closed in Non-Small Scale Industry (Non-SSI) sector. In the current year, two mills have closed during April-September, 2019. At the same time, 30 new mills have also enlisted with the Textile Commissioner, Mumbai during 2016-17 and 2017-18. The mills have been closed in the country, mainly owing to financial problems and labour related issues. No mill was closed down by NTC during the last three years and current year.

(c) to (e): Government of India had introduced a Scheme viz., Textile Workers Rehabilitation Fund Scheme (TWRFS) with effect from 15.09.1986 to provide relief to the workers, who were rendered jobless due to permanent closure of Non-SSI textile mills in private sector. However, the scheme has now been merged with the Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana (RGSKY) of Ministry of Labour and Employment. Workers rendered jobless can avail benefits under the said scheme.