Karur will get textile testing center: Union minister

Karur: Union minister for textiles Giriraj Singh on Saturday said a textile testing and certification centre would soon be established in Karur to cater to the needs of manufacturers.Addressing the Karur Textile Manufacturers’ Association’s golden jubilee celebrations, the minister said, “Karur is not only Tamil Nadu’s textile hub but also one of India’s major textile hubs, providing direct and indirect employment to around seven lakh people. At present, manufacturers have to travel to Tirupur or Gurugram for textile testing and certification. I assure you that such a facility will soon be established in Karur.”During his speech, Singh quipped that he had “less work to do” as a Union minister because Karur MP Jothimani and her Congress party had been part of the previous govt and were now part of the present ruling TVK govt.Association president Gopalakrishnan outlined the industry’s Vision 2030 roadmap. He said the sector aims to achieve a total production value of ₹10,000 crore in the near term, with a long-term target of ₹25,000 crore. Conventional textile exports are projected to increase from ₹7,000 crore to ₹12,000 crore, while the bedding and bath segment is expected to contribute ₹4,000 crore. Technical textiles are also targeted to reach ₹4,000 crore.The event was attended by milk and dairy development minister C Vijayalakshmi, handlooms minister M Vijay Balaji, Jothimani, Krishnarayapuram TVK MLA Sathya, and senior officials.EOM//