CHANDIGARH: The decks were cleared Saturday for the setting up a Textile Park in the State with Punjab government unveiling a broader Government- Industry interactive policy on boosting trade and industry in the State.

A delegation of leading industrialists of the State led by  S.P. Oswal met Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here to explore the possibility of further boosting the textile trade in the State and consider an integrated Textile Park in the State.

Oswal informed the Chief Minister that 74 spinning units
located in Punjab had 2 lacs spindles capacity against the  national capacity of 300 lacs spindles. He informed that 75% of capacity is consumed in the local units in Punjab and adjoining units of Himachal Pardesh and balance is spread out to Uttar Pardesh. He emphasized that State government should emphasize on promoting garment units keeping in view the employment potential of these units especially for women.

The Chief Minister expressed his great concern over the growing
unemployment and sought the support of industry in sharpening the skills of Punjabi youth and making them employable in the industry. He said that industry by providing technical support to ITI's and Skill Development Centers and setting up Centers of Excellence for the core industries of the State especially in textile light equipment, chemical, pharmaceutical, mechanical and electrical industries.

S.P. Oswal spoke about a program being run by the Vardhman Group
for improving the employability of SC/BC Graduates.He assured to
replicate this example in all districts of the state.
 
Prominent amongst those who participated in today's meeting included Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Industry Minister, R.I. Singh, Chief Secretary, D.S. Guru, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Roshan Sunkaria, MD PSIEC.