apparel industry keen to utilise NREGS

Coimbatore, Feb 18 (PTI): The Apparel Export PromotionCouncil (AEPC) has written to the Planning Commission,expressing its keenness to employ workers under National RuralEmployment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).

Initially, the industry could contribute Rs 50 per workerper day and training in apparel making could be made part ofthe NREGS, AEPC sources said.

The proposal has also been sent to the textile ministryand once the worker was absorbed by the industry, the amountequivalent as given by the Government could be provided by theindustry, they said.

The government could take a base year for ascertaining theregular workforce in the apparel sector and NREGS funds can beprovided for incremental jobs created by the industry, thecouncil has suggested in the proposal, they said.

Once the domestic and export market started flourishing,the indications of which are already there, the industry mayrequire a larger number of workers, the sources said,. PTI NVMAPRAPR02181951