Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani today appealed to textile industry at 63rd National Garment Fair, Mumbai to join ‘Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana’ (PMSBY) for the benefit of workers.
“I congratulate The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) for organising largest ever apparel trade show and urge the industry to take part in the PMSBY in which by paying a premium of Rs 1 per month, the worker will get an insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh,” Irani said after inaugurating the Fair today.
The PMSBY will benefit garment workers immensely, as largest number of people work in the textile sector in the country after agriculture, she said.
CMAI president Rahul Mehta said the total size of the domestic apparel industry is estimated at around Rs 2,50,000 crore.
In which, the size of the organised market is Rs 74,250 crore (30 per cent) whereas unorganised market is Rs 175,750 crore (70 per cent). The domestic apparel industry’s size is estimated to double within next 7 years,” he said.
The National Garment  Fair, said to be the largest ever so far in country, has 742 stalls displaying 812 brands. This is the first time 24 exhibitors participated from Kolkata under Bengal Pavilion.
Approximately, 40,000 retailers, Wholesalers, Agents & Distributors from across the country are expected to visit the three-day fair.
Textile Commissioner Kavita Gupta said the draft National Textile Policy is ready and it would be presented to the Cabinet for approval.
