CPI calls for faster textile park establishment in Puducherry

The Communist Party of India (CPI) is calling on the Puducherry government to speed up plans for a textile park in the area. At a press conference, CPI secretary A. M. Saleem discussed the government's opportunity to develop the textile sector with the help of the PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel Parks (PM-MITRA) scheme. Saleem suggested using land from the closed Shri Bharathi Mills and Swadeshi Cotton Mills, which were handed over to the local administration in 2005. He noted that the Union Ministry of Textiles is willing to support the project. "A textile park can be developed at the sites of the mills under the PM-MITRA scheme," he said. The CPI leader welcomed a recent statement from Home Minister A. Namassivayam about starting a textile unit at the defunct AFT mill but urged the government to move quickly. He stressed the need for Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan's support to revive the textile industry and aimed to shift focus away from liquor production, which he said does not create many jobs. Saleem criticized the current government for its reliance on liquor business for revenue. He pointed out that textile operations could create hundreds of jobs, whereas distilleries only employ a few people. He argued for more effort in industrial development instead. Additionally, Saleem stated that the recent budget presented by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy lacked clear direction. The CPI plans to hold a protest on March 25 to draw attention to issues in the budget. The party also called for a full revival of the Public Distribution System in Puducherry to provide essential items to people with ration cards.