Gandhinagar, Jan 19 (NationPress) Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has sanctioned significant modifications to the Gujarat Textile Policy-2024 with the intention of advancing women's empowerment and broadening the benefits for non-polluting textile enterprises, including those situated within urban areas of the state.

For the first time, this Textile Policy has embraced a targeted and organized strategy to bolster the empowerment and income enhancement of women's Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in both rural and urban settings.

To amplify the effects of this initiative, the Chief Minister has mandated revisions to specific aspects of the policy.

According to the updated framework, one or more women-led SHGs involved in similar livelihood pursuits and registered under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, National Urban Livelihood Mission, or operating as voluntary SHGs, will now qualify for advantages under the Textile Policy-2024.

Furthermore, the state government has expanded the policy advantages to include non-polluting textile manufacturing units functioning within municipal boundaries.

Entities engaged in garments, apparel, made-ups, stitching, embroidery, and other related activities will now be eligible for support under the policy, provided they fall under the White or Green categories as defined by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board or equivalent regulations.

Recognizing the textile sector's vital contribution to Gujarat's economy and its role in national development, the Textile Policy-2024 adopts a value-chain strategy with a particular focus on garments, apparel, and technical textiles.

By acknowledging non-polluting, labor-intensive textile operations within urban regions, the policy aims to encourage balanced industrial expansion while safeguarding the environment.

This decision is anticipated to provide substantial benefits to qualifying urban textile units, stimulate job creation in cities, and generate new opportunities for both skilled and semi-skilled workers.

Moreover, it is expected to support the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by establishing a favorable business landscape and promoting better utilization of existing urban infrastructure, thereby lowering production costs and enhancing competitiveness.

With labor-intensive tasks such as stitching and embroidery increasingly concentrated in urban areas, women workers are likely to experience improved access to local employment, contributing to enhanced socio-economic stability and a better work-life balance.

The policy also aligns environmental sustainability with industrial progress by endorsing non-polluting manufacturing methods.

Inclusion of women's SHGs under the Gujarat Textile Policy-2024 is projected to significantly bolster economic self-reliance among women statewide, enhancing their involvement in commerce and industry.

These amendments, guided by Chief Minister Patel and Deputy Chief Minister and Industries Minister Harsh Sanghavi, are set to complement the textile sector's contribution to India's broader economic objectives, including the vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047', with Gujarat continuing to play a pivotal role in the nation's growth trajectory.