India, Feb. 2 -- The Government on Sunday announced an integrated programme to boost growth in the labour-intensive textile sector and also proposed setting up of mega textile parks.

In her Budget speech, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "For the labour-intensive Textile Sector, I propose an Integrated Programme with 5 sub-parts". Under these five sub-parts, she announced a 'National Fibre Scheme' for self-reliance in natural fibres such as silk, wool and jute, man-made fibres, and new-age fibres.

The Government proposed a 'Textile Expansion and Employment Scheme' to modernise traditional clusters with capital support for machinery, technology upgradation and common testing and certification centres.

A National Handloom ...