Government working on proposal to set up 'Hastkala Academy'

New Delhi, Jul 22 The government is working on a proposal to set up a 'Hastkala Academy' here for research work on development of the handicraft sector, Parliament was informed today.

"The government has initiated a proposal for establishment of a 'Hastkala Academy' at New Delhi under which research work on development of handicrafts will be taken up," Textiles Minister Smriti Irani said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

Replying to a separate question, she said an amended technology upgradation fund scheme (ATUFS) is in place for the textiles industry, which as become effective from January.

"An allocation of Rs 17,671 crore has been approved for seven years to meet the committed liabilities of Rs 12,671 crore and Rs 5,151 crore for new cases under ATUFS," she said.

The scheme is aimed at boosting the textiles sector. It has also a provision for one time capital subsidy for eligible benchmarked machinery in different sectors including technical textiles and garmenting.

To a separate question, Minister of State for Textiles Ajay Tamta replied that the ministry has sanctioned 25 parks under the Scheme for Integrated Textiles Parks during the last two years.

PTI