PM MITRA scheme

In news–A Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Park to be set up in Ludhiana, under the PM-MITRA scheme, has been red-flagged by locals, environmentalists and even some political leaders.

Proposed project & opposition to it-

The proposed project site is located near the Mattewara forest and on floodplains of river Sutlej.
It touches Mattewara forest from two sides, and also borders river Sutlej on one side.
There are fears that the project would not only disturb the biodiversity of the protected forest, but might also lead to chemical discharge from factories into the river.
Spread over 2,300 acres, the Mattewara forest is often called the lungs of Ludhiana district, and is home to several animal and avian species including peacocks, sambhar, antelopes (nilgai), monkeys, deers etc.

PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Parks (PM MITRA)-

The scheme aims to realise the vision of building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat and to position India strongly on the Global textiles map.
It is envisaged to help India in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9 (“Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”).
PM MITRA is inspired by the ‘5F’ Formula – Farm -> Fiber -> Factory -> Fashion -> Foreign’.
The scheme is to develop an integrated large scale and modern industrial infrastructure facility for the entire value-chain of the textile industry.
It will reduce logistics costs and improve competitiveness of Indian Textiles.
The scheme will help India in attracting investments, boosting employment generation and position itself strongly in the global textile market.
PM MITRA Parks will be set up on the basis of proposals received from State Governments having ready availability of contiguous and encumbrance-free land parcels of minimum 1000 acres.
These parks are envisaged to be located at sites which have inherent strength for Textile Industry to flourish and have necessary linkages to succeed.
Under the PM-MITRA, a total of seven such parks will come up across the country at Greenfield / Brownfield sites located in different willing States with a total outlay of Rs 4,445 crore.
The land required for the project, being undertaken jointly by the Centre and the state governments.
For a Greenfield PM MITRA park, the GOI Development Capital Support will be 30% of the Project Cost, with a cap of ₹500 Cr.
For Brownfield sites, after assessment, Development Capital Support @30% of project cost of balance infrastructure and other support facilities to be developed and restricted to a limit of Rs. 200 Crore.
State Government support will include provision of 1,000 Acre land for development of a world class industrial estate.
Competitiveness Incentive Support (CIS) of ₹300 Crore will also be provided to each PM MITRA park for early establishment of textiles manufacturing units in PM MITRA Park.
PM MITRA park will be developed by a Special Purpose Vehicle which will be owned by the State Government and Government of India in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mode.
SPV in which the State Government has majority ownership will be entitled to receive part of the lease rental from developed industrial sites and will be able to use that for further expansion of the textiles industry in the area by expanding the PM MITRA Park, providing Skill Development initiatives and other Welfare measures for workers.