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Informist, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026

--BUDGET: Propose programme with 5 sub-parts for textile sector

--BUDGET: Propose national fibre scheme under textile sector 

--BUDGET: Moot textile expansion plan via capital support for machinery 

--BUDGET: Moot textile expansion plan to modernise industry 

--BUDGET: To set up mega textile parks in challenge mode

--BUDGET: To launch new plan to develop textile skilling system 

MUMBAI – To scale up manufacturing in the labour-intensive textile sector, the government has proposed an integrated programme, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, presenting the Union Budget for 2026–27 (Apr–Mar) in the Lok Sabha on Sunday. The programme includes the National Fibre Scheme, the Textile Expansion and Employment Scheme, the National Handloom and Handicraft programme, the Tex-Eco Initiative, and Samarth 2.0, Sitharaman said. 

The National Fibre Scheme is proposed to make the country self-reliant in natural fibres such as silk, wool and jute, man-made fibres, and new-age fibres. The Textile Expansion and Employment Scheme aims to modernise traditional clusters with capital support for machinery and technology upgrades, as well as common testing and certification centres, while the National Handloom and Handicraft programme aims to integrate and strengthen existing schemes and ensure targeted support for weavers and artisans. The Tex-Eco Initiative is proposed to promote globally competitive and sustainable textiles and apparel, and Samarth 2.0 to modernise and upgrade the textile training ecosystem through collaboration with industry and academic institutions, Sitharaman said.

Sitharaman also proposed the setting up of Mega Textile Parks in "challenge mode," which can also focus on bringing value-addition to technical textiles.

To strengthen khadi, handloom, and handicrafts, the finance minister proposed to launch the Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj initiative. The initiative will assist with global market linkage and branding, and will streamline and support training, skilling, process quality, and production. "This will benefit our weavers, village industries, One–District–One–Product initiative and rural youth," the minister said.  End

Reported by Shreya Shetty

Edited by Saji George Titus

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