PM-MITRA scheme

Why in news?

• Union Cabinet recently approves seven mega textile parks under PM-MITRA scheme, allocates Rs 4,445 crore for next five years.

About PM MITRA scheme:

• PM MITRA (Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) scheme was first announced in Union Budget for 2021-22.
• The scheme aims to establish seven major 'holistic integrated textile processing regions' across the country, which would integrate the currently scattered value chain of textile products.
• It aims to enable the textile industry to become globally competitive, attract large investments, and boost employment generation and exports.
• It will create world-class infrastructure with plug and play facilities to enable create global champions in exports.
• The scheme is a part of the government's 'Farm to Fiber to Factory to Fashion to Foreign' push
• Sites for the scheme will be selected by a Challenge Method, based on objective criteria for Greenfield / Brownfield sites.

Supports provided by the government under the scheme:

• Competitiveness Incentive Support (CIS) - The government will provide a fund of Rs.300 Crore to ‘investors’ setting up production facilities to incentivize manufacturing units to get established.
• For a Greenfield Park ‘developer’, the centre will provide 30% of Capital Support from the Project Cost, with a cap of Rs.500 Cr.
• For a Brownfield sites ‘developer’, the centre will provide 30% of Capital Support from the Project Cost, with a cap of Rs. 200 Cr.

Infrastructures available in the PM MITRA parks:

• Core Infrastructure: Incubation Centre & Plug & Play facility, Developed Factory Sites, Roads, Power, Water and Waste Water system, Common Processing House and other related facilities e.g., Design Centre, Testing Centres etc.
• Support Infrastructure: Workers’ hostels & housing, logistics park, warehousing, medical, training & skill development facilities.

Add ons:

• PM MITRA park will be developed by a Special Purpose Vehicle which will be owned by the State Government and Government of India in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Mode.
• The Master Developer will develop and also maintain the park during the concession period.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

PM MITRA scheme, sometimes seen in the news, aims for:

(a) Enhancing competitiveness of the textiles industry

(b) Promoting the Self Help Groups in rural areas

(c) Providing affordable and quality education to the citizens for free

(d) Boosting regional air connectivity

Answer