To promote investments in the garment and apparel sector, the Maharashtra government is working on a niche policy, looking at its job creation potential, and boost ‘Make in Maharashtra’ plans. The policy will focus on setting up garment and apparel units in the cotton-growing areas of Vidarbha and Marathwada, which are also known for agrarian distress and farmer suicides.

The economic benefits of value-addition to raw cotton would also percolate down to the farmers while generating direct and indirect employment. Apparel is a sector that is low on investments and high on manpower. They are also considering a special policy for the garment and apparel sector. They will promote such industries and units in Vidarbha and Marathwada, which would create a larger supplier eco-system and increase employment opportunities.

The policy will look at granting fiscal and non-fiscal incentives like land in Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) areas, grant of FSI and allotment of plots for garment and apparel units in the ten textile parks to come up in Vidarbha and Marathwada. Though Maharashtra already has a policy for the textile sector, this niche, sectoral policy for garments and apparels will give a further boost to investments.