Sanjay Savkare
Hon’ble Minister of Textile Government of Maharashtra
Maharashtra’s Textile Policy is one of the most progressive in the country
Maharashtra holds a distinguished position in India's textile landscape, being home to the largest number of cotton textile mills in the country. This dominance is driven by the abundant availability of raw materials and a legacy of skilled manpower. Mumbai, the financial capital of India, is referred as the “Cottonpolis of India,” thanks to its pivotal role in the cotton textile sector. The city's strategic proximity to raw materials, favourable climatic conditions, and efficient transportation and port facilities have solidified its status as a major textile hub.
At the heart of Maharashtra’s thriving textile industry is the Department of Textile, operating under the aegis of the Cooperation, Marketing, and Textile Department of the state government. This department plays a crucial role in shaping the industry's future, implementing innovative schemes and programmes that enhance the quality of textile production while generating substantial employment opportunities.
Balancing tradition with modernity, the department is focused on creating a robust ecosystem that integrates Maharashtra’s rich heritage in textiles with cutting-edge advancements.
With its strong foundation in both traditional and contemporary textile sub-sectors, Maharashtra is poised to become a global hub for textiles. Recognising the industry as a key driver of economic growth, the state government has taken proactive steps to support its expansion. From policy initiatives aimed at fostering competitiveness in global markets to investments in infrastructure and innovation, the government remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering the textile sector.
Recently, Fibre2Fashion had the opportunity to engage with Sanjay Savkare, the honourable Minister of Textile, Government of Maharashtra. The interaction took place on the sidelines of the 80th National Garment Fair, organised by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) in Mumbai. The event, a vibrant gathering of industry leaders and stakeholders, provided an excellent platform to discuss Maharashtra’s vision for the textile industry and the steps being taken to ensure its sustained growth.
Following are the highlights from the insightful conversation with the Hon’ble Minister of Textile, Government of Maharashtra.
Gujarat and Maharashtra are key players in India's textile landscape. With Gujarat’s new textile policy in place, how is Maharashtra enhancing its competitiveness in the sector?
Maharashtra has already taken a significant step forward in advancing its textile sector by implementing the Integrated and Sustainable Textile Policy 2023-28. Widely regarded as one of the most progressive policies in the country, it has already begun to attract considerable attention and investment from entrepreneurs from other states. This initiative highlights our commitment to fostering a thriving and competitive textile industry while creating an environment conducive to sustained economic growth.
The policy is designed to make Maharashtra a preferred destination for investors by offering a comprehensive framework that promotes sustainability, innovation, and job creation. Its favourable provisions and incentives are expected to encourage more businesses to establish their operations in the state and there is optimism that this strategic approach will lead to a further influx of investments, further bolstering Maharashtra’s position as a leader in the textile industry.
Further, recognising the importance of adaptability, the government is actively engaging with stakeholders to gather feedback on the policy’s implementation. By identifying areas for improvement and making necessary adjustments, we aim to maximise the policy’s impact.
The textile sector holds a vital place in Maharashtra’s economy, ranking as the second-largest employment provider after agriculture. With the new policy in place, the state is not only addressing current challenges but also laying the foundation for a sustainable and prosperous future for its textile industry.
Recognising technical textiles as a critical growth area, what policies and strategies is Maharashtra adopting to develop this high-potential sector?
Technical textiles undoubtedly represent a promising avenue for growth within the broader textile industry, offering immense potential for innovation, investment, and economic development. Recognising the same, Maharashtra is firmly committed to harnessing the advantages of this specialised sector. To drive focused efforts in this area, the state is considering the establishment of the Maharashtra Technical Textile Mission (MTTM).
The proposed MTTM will serve as a dedicated initiative aimed at promoting the technical textiles. By concentrating on this rapidly expanding segment, Maharashtra aspires to strengthen its leadership in the textile industry while creating new opportunities for businesses and job creation.
This mission is expected to provide a comprehensive framework for innovation, research, and development, supported by industry collaboration and government incentives. It will also help attract investments from global and domestic players looking to tap into India’s growing technical textile market. The government has floated EOI for establishing 6 Technical Textile Parks in the state.
Maharashtra’s potential for producing high-value garments for export is also immense. What measures are being adopted to tap into international markets and boost exports?
Maharashtra has already been able to establish itself as a strong performer in the export sector, particularly in textiles and value-added products. However, recognising the vast potential within the domestic market, the state is now focusing on strengthening its local presence. This dual approach seeks to create a robust balance between tapping international opportunities while also catering to the growing domestic demand.
A key component of this strategy is promoting the concept of ‘Traditional Textiles’ aligning with the national vision of fostering local production and consumption. By encouraging indigenous manufacturing and the use of homegrown resources for the domestic market, Maharashtra aims to build a more self-sufficient economy while supporting local industries and artisans.
While the domestic market remains a significant priority, the state continues to prioritise export growth as a core objective.
The state in its recent policy has brought the concept of mother-child unit for promotion of garment industry.
Additionally, the state is actively working to attract foreign investments into the textile and allied sectors. Maharashtra recently has also released a scheme on Mini Textile Parks for integration of textile value chain.
By creating an investor-friendly environment with incentives and infrastructure support, Maharashtra aims to position itself as a global hub for textiles, striking a fine balance between local and international growth.
In the rapidly evolving textile industry, how is Maharashtra ensuring that its workforce is skilled and that employee welfare remains a priority?
Maharashtra is committed to strengthening its textile industry by addressing the critical need for skilled manpower. To achieve this, the state plans to introduce more skill development initiatives and textile-focused courses in the educational institutions across its regions. These programmes will equip aspiring professionals with the specialised knowledge and practical skills required to meet industry demands.
In addition to focusing on skill development, we also place significant emphasis on employee welfare, setting an example for the other states. The state’s minimum wage is among the highest in India, reflecting its commitment to ensuring fair compensation for workers. Furthermore, the government actively implements measures from time to time to enhance the well-being of the workforce, such as providing better workplace safety standards, access to healthcare, and social security benefits.
This dual approach of investing in skill development and prioritising employee welfare not only supports the growth of the textile industry but also creates a conducive environment for workers to thrive.
As wages contribute significantly to the overall production cost, how is Maharashtra assisting the entrepreneurs in managing the same?
While offering direct subsidies for employment can be challenging, the state government has found alternative ways to support entrepreneurs in the textile industry. Key measures like offering infrastructural support, assistance for technology upgradation and subsidies for green technology help businesses streamline their operations.
Given that the textile industry is highly labour-intensive and a significant source of mass employment, we also recognise the need to strike a balance between technology and labour.
This balanced approach is aimed to improve the overall efficiency of the industry while also providing ample opportunities for the local workforce, which I believe will help keep the textile industry remain competitive and vibrant, benefiting both entrepreneurs and employees alike.
Along with technology, sustainability endeavours is considered very important in today’s age but both these require significant investment, which along with increased wages have an indirect impact on profit margins as well. What’s your perspective on balancing these aspects?
Competing globally necessitates adapting to international standards, which includes prioritising sustainability and technology. While this can affect profit margins in the short term, the focus should be on increasing capacities rather than solely aiming for higher profit margins.
Businesses need to adopt strategies that balance growth, sustainability, and profitability. Entrepreneurs should plan accordingly to remain competitive and sustainable in the long run.
The state is offering incentives for all sub-components of textile sector for an integrated approach to strengthen the entire textile value chain.
Interviewer: Deepankar Shyam
Published on: 21/01/2025
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.
