Executive Summary:
This document responds to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3795 regarding the revival of the Amritsar textile industry. It outlines various government schemes and initiatives aimed at promoting the textile sector across India, including in Amritsar. The response details support provided through schemes like ATUFS, Samarth Scheme, TCDS, IWDP, and other national programs.
Key Points / Main Content:
Amritsar Textile Cluster Status:
* The Amritsar district in Punjab has 225 powerloom units, comprising 2,880 powerloom shuttle looms and 640 powerloom shuttleless looms.
Government Initiatives:
* The government is implementing various schemes to promote the textile sector pan-India, including in the Amritsar cluster.
Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS):
* ATUFS was launched in January 2016 to provide credit-linked Capital Investment Subsidy (CIS).
* The scheme was valid up to March 31, 2022.
* Under ATUFS, 71 cases in Amritsar have been settled, with Rs. 12.94 Cr. in Capital Investment Subsidy released.
Samarth Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SCBTS):
* SCBTS aims to provide demand-driven, placement-oriented skilling programs.
* As of August 11, 2025, 1,105 personnel were trained and passed in Punjab, with 820 placements.
Textile Cluster Development Scheme (TCDS):
* Under the umbrella scheme of TCDS, three projects of the Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) were sanctioned in Punjab.
Integrated Wool Development Programme (IWDP):
* The Ministry, through the Central Wool Development Board, is implementing IWDP for wool sector development.
* A project was sanctioned to conduct Research & Development on Developing Sustainable Geosynthetics from Coarse and recycled Wool Fabric in and around Punjab under IWDP.
Other Schemes:
* The government is implementing other schemes, including the National Technical Textiles Mission, Silk Samagra-2, and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme.
Impact Analysis:
Textile Units in Amritsar:
* Impact: Have access to various schemes and subsidies for technology upgradation, skill development, and infrastructure development.
* Action Required: Participate in the schemes, apply for subsidies, and utilize the training programs.
Textile Workers/Potential Employees in Punjab:
* Impact: Benefit from skill development programs and employment opportunities in the textile sector.
* Action Required: Enroll in the Samarth Scheme and other relevant programs to enhance skills and employability.
Central Wool Development Board:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing the Integrated Wool Development Programme (IWDP).
* Action Required: Continue overseeing and supporting the R&D project on sustainable geosynthetics.
Ministry of Textiles:
* Impact: Responsible for overseeing and implementing various schemes and initiatives for the textile sector.
* Action Required: Continue to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the schemes and make necessary adjustments.
Key Entities Referenced
Amritsar District of Punjab: A district in the state of Punjab, India, known historically for its textile industry.
Textiles: The subject of the Lok Sabha question, referring to the textile industry and its revival.
Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS): A scheme launched in January 2016 to provide credit linked Capital Investment Subsidy (CIS) to textile units.
Samarth Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SCBTS): A scheme to provide demand-driven, placement-oriented skilling programs to incentivize job creation in the organized textile sector.
Textile Cluster Development Scheme (TCDS): An umbrella scheme under which projects of Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) were sanctioned to provide infrastructure in textile hubs.
Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP): A scheme sanctioned in the state of Punjab providing world class, state-of-the-art infrastructure in textile hubs.
Central Wool Development Board: An organization implementing the Integrated Wool Development Programme (IWDP) for the development of the Wool Sector in the country.
Integrated Wool Development Programme (IWDP): A program implemented by the Central Wool Development Board for the development of the Wool Sector in the country.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3795
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.08.2025
REVIVAL OF AMRITSAR TEXTILE INDUSTRY
3795. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:
Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री
be pleased to state :
(a) whether Amritsar, once a prominent centre of the textile industry in North India, has seen its entire
textile base vanish over the decades, despite being known for its woollen mills, shawl weaving and
dyeing industry, which once provided livelihoods to lakhs;
(b) whether the Government has taken any steps to revive the textile ecosystem in Amritsar, especially
considering its strategic location on international border, which often faces war-like situations, has been
denied continuous investment and infrastructure support due to security sensitivity; and
(c) whether the Government is considering setting up a Textile Mega Cluster, Common Facility Centres
(CFCs), or Border Textile Promotion Package, including subsidies, skill development centres, export
facilitation, to not only revive the industry and generate massive employment for the youth in border
villages and if so, the details thereof?
उत्तर
ANSWER
वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री (श्री पबित्र मार्घरे रटा)
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES
(SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)
(a) to (c): As per the latest information available, the Textile cluster in Amritsar District of Punjab
constitutes 225 Powerloom units, 2,880 Powerloom Shuttle looms and 640 Powerloom Shuttleless
looms. The Government is implementing various schemes/initiatives aimed at promoting the textile
sector pan India including in Amritsar cluster. In order to promote ease of doing business in the country
to achieve the vision of generating employment and promoting exports through “Make in India’’ with
"Zero effect and Zero defect" in manufacturing, Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme
(ATUFS) was launched in January 2016 to provide credit linked Capital Investment Subsidy (CIS) to
units. The scheme was valid upto 31st March, 2022. Under ATUFS, 71 cases have been settled and
Rs.12.94 Cr. Capital investment subsidy has been released so far to units located in Amritsar.
Government is also implementing (Samarth)- Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SCBTS),
with the objective to provide demand driven, placement oriented National Skill Qualification Framework
(NSQF) compliant skilling programmes to incentivize and supplement the efforts to the industry in
creating jobs in the organized textile (excluding spinning & weaving) and related sectors and to provide
skilling and skill-upgradation in the traditional sectors. As on 11.08.2025, a total of 1,105 personnel were
trained (passed) in the state of Punjab out of which 820 were placed.
In addition, under the umbrella scheme of Textile Cluster Development Scheme (TCDS), three projects
of Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) were sanctioned in the state of Punjab providing world
class, state-of the-art infrastructure in textile hubs.Also, the Ministry through Central Wool Development Board is implementing Integrated Wool
Development Programme (IWDP) for the development of Wool Sector in the country and has sanctioned
a project to conduct Research & Development on “Developing Sustainable Geosynthetics from Coarse
and recycled Wool Fabric” at region located in and around Punjab under IWDP.
A number of other schemes including National Technical Textiles Mission focusing on Research
Innovation & Development, Promotion and Market Development, Skilling and Export Promotion, Silk
Samagra-2 for comprehensive development of sericulture value chain, Production Linked Incentive
(PLI) Scheme focusing on Man Made Fibre& Apparel, and Technical Textiles to boost large scale
manufacturing and enhancing competitiveness are being implemented to support the textile industry pan
India including in Amritsar cluster.
****