File Photo: Union Minister Santosh Gangwar
The textiles ministry is making out a case for keeping the industry in the lowest slab of the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) and has made a pitch for the same to the Finance Minister.
"GST is important, and we are trying to convince the Finance Minister so that in GST, the textile industry remains at the lowest level," Union Textiles Minister Santosh Gangwar said during the inauguration of an apparel show, Galleria Intima, in New Delhi.
Besides, the Minister outlined the ambitious goal of raising India's share in global textile exports to 10 per cent in the next five years, from the five per cent at present.
"We have a share of five per cent of the world's textile exports amounting to $40 billion. With our focus on Make in India, we aspire to aim higher and increase this share to 10 per cent in the next five years," Mr Gangwar said.
He is confident that India's textile industry will not lose out to China despite the fact that the country is the largest cotton producer in the world ahead of India.
He also highlighted the need for a change in labour laws in the country, especially to ensure flexibility of work timings for female workers.