Minister: Budgetary provisions to boost UP’s traditional, modern manufacturing

Lucknow: The series of far-reaching measures in the Budget aimed at strengthening MSMEs, khadi and village industries, the silk sector, and handloom and textile industries is expected to significantly benefit Uttar Pradesh's traditional and modern manufacturing base, said minister Rakesh Sachan on Sunday. A comprehensive and integrated programme for the textile sector has been proposed, bringing together key schemes such as the National Fibre Mission, the Textile Expansion and Employment Scheme, the National Handloom and Handicrafts Programme, the Tex-Eco Initiative and Samarth 2.0. These initiatives aim to boost production, generate employment and enhance exports. The proposed Mega Textile Parks are also expected to open up new investment avenues in UP's textile and apparel industry, he said.
Sachan added that the provisions would create fresh opportunities for lakhs of entrepreneurs, artisans and workers associated with MSMEs, khadi, handloom, silk and textile sectors in the state. "The measures would not only generate employment but also strengthen the goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat." He highlighted the proposed ‘Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Pahal', aimed at promoting khadi, handloom and handicrafts, as a key initiative to strengthen the rural economy. "This will provide sustainable livelihoods to artisans and weavers by linking traditional industries with modern markets and improving their incomes," he said. To bolster MSMEs, the Budget proposed a Rs 10,000 crore SME Growth Fund, along with an additional Rs 2,000 crore infusion into the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Fund. The expansion of the TReDS platform is expected to ensure timely payments to small enterprises and ease working capital constraints. The introduction of the ‘Corporate Mitra' mechanism will provide MSMEs with business mentoring, technical support and market linkages. The proposal to rejuvenate 200 heritage industrial clusters, including handloom and handicraft hubs, is expected to give traditional industries in UP a renewed identity and competitiveness.Export-focused incentives, including duty-free imports for footwear uppers and extended timelines for leather and textile apparel exports, are also expected to enhance the global competitiveness of Indian products.