New textile policy in two months — govt

The new policy will comprise several facilities to be provided to textile mills belonging to the cooperative as well as private sector, new resources to be created for their revival and professional expertise to be provided for the same, he added.

Textiles Minister Ranjit Deshmukh agreed that the present condition of the textile mills in the state is bad and there is a need for a new textile policy for their revival.

Also, the condition of weavers in Vidarbha is not good and attempts will be made to start the handlooms in the region, Deshmukh promised.

The previous Shiv Sena-BJP government had decided to close down the Vidarbha Weavers’ Cooperative Institution by taking a Cabinet decision. The DF government has decided to revive the same institution, he added.

To this, leader of opposition Nitin Gadkari took objection, saying it was wrong to say that the Sena-BJP government had decided to close down the institute. On the contrary, it had taken a decision through Cabinet consent to revive it.

When the minister was firm on his reply, chairman N S Pharande in his ruling said the government should make a statement giving a clear picture in this regard on the floor of the house.

INVESTMENT IN AGRICULTURAL SECTOR: The Rs 11.55-crore expenditure on `Agro-Advantage’ by the Sena-BJP government failed to attract any investment in the agricultural sector, the Council was informed today.

Though, for initial expenditure, a sum of Rs one crore was allocated in 1998, a total of Rs 11.55 crore was spent on `Agro-Advantage,’ Agriculture Minister Ranjit Deshmukh said in a written reply to a query by Vijay Sawant (NCP).

A total of 31 companies and corporations participated in organising `Agro-Advantage,’ the Minister said. No bank guarantee was taken while allocating work of `Agro-Advantage,’ the Minister said and added an inquiry into the matter was on.

PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ VACANCIES: The state government would clear the backlog in appointing backward class teachers in primary schools through a special drive during the current academic year, the state Legislative Council was told today.

Rural Development Minister R R Patil, said there were around 10,700 vacancies for backward class teachers before the Democratic Front government assumed power in October last year. However, 5,188 posts have been filled since, the minister said.

Though the government has taken a decision to appoint 16,000 primary teachers on contract, backward classes candidates would be absorbed in permanant service, Patil said.