The Hindu Business Line : Centre proposes NIFT satellite centre at Kannur

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug. 24 The Centre has proposed to set up of a satellite centre of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) at Kannur in Kerala.

The State Government had originally sought the establishment of a full-fledged NIFT centre at Kannur, which is reputed for its textile industry, especially handloom clothes. The district also figures prominently in textiles export from the State.

The State Government had mooted the setting up of a satellite facility of the proposed Kannur NIFT centre in Thiruvananthapuram to cater to the thriving handloom weaving industry at nearby Balaramappuram.

Kinfra centre

The Kerala State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) is in the process of establishing a textile centre in 126 acres of land at Taliparamba in Kannur district with financial assistance from the Textile Centre Infrastructure Development Scheme of the Union Ministry of Textiles. The centre is envisaged to improve the infrastructure for textile manufacture using modern technology.

The centre will also provide special incentives for export-oriented units in the handloom sector with a view to increasing the export from the region three times over the next five years. The NIFT centre was expected to give the much-needed support to the export plans.

The NIFT centre was estimated to cost Rs 25 crore, which was to be borne by the State Government. The satellite facility in Thiruvananthapuram, also to be implemented by Kinfra, was proposed to be taken up at a later stage.

Centre’s stand

Now, the Centre has informed the State Government that Kannur can have a satellite facility of NIFT Bangalore, according to officials in the Indsutries Department. The cost has also been revised to Rs 50 crore. Apart from the cost, the State Government will have to bear the recurring cost for three years after which the Centre will take over the running of the facility.

The Centre has also said that the operations of the Kannur satellite centre can gradually cover other places in the State, including Thiruvananthapuram. The State Government is considering the proposal, the officials said.

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