- Firstly, it has approved a special package for boosting the employment generation and export potential of the Textile and Apparel Sector. The salient features of the package are:
Labour Law Reforms
- Government shall bear 3.67% of employer’s Employee Provident Fund (EPF) contribution for new workmen in addition to existing reimbursement of 33% employer contribution under Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY) for 3 years.
- EPF will be made optional for employees earning less than Rs. 15,000 per month; thus, leaving more money in the hands of the workers.
- Overtime cap will be raised from 50 hours per quarter to 100 hours per quarter, leading to increased earnings of workers.
- Considering the seasonal nature of the industry, fixed term employment will be introduced for the garment sector. A fixed term workman will be considered at par with permanent workman in terms of working hours, wages, allowances and other statutory dues.
Additional incentives under ATUFS
- The subsidy provided to garmenting units, under Amended-TUFS, is being increased from 15% to 25%, providing a boost to employment generation.
- The package breaks new ground in moving from input-based to outcome-based incentives; a unique feature of the scheme will be to disburse subsidy only after expected jobs have been created.
Enhanced duty drawback coverage
- In a first-of-its-kind move, a new scheme will be introduced to refund the state levies which were not refunded so far.
- This move will greatly boost the competitiveness of Indian exports in foreign markets
- Drawback at All Industries Rate will be given for domestic duty paid inputs even when fabrics are imported under Advance Authorization Scheme.
Enhancing scope of Section 80JJAA of Income Tax Act
- Secondly, Government has approved Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme with an outlay of Rs. 17,822 crore, incentivizing new investments in garmenting, weaving, processing & technical textiles.
- Looking at the seasonal nature of garment industry, the provision of 240 days under Section 80JJAA of Income Tax Act would be relaxed to 150 days for garment industry.
- Thirdly, a total of 25 integrated textile parks have been sanctioned in the last two years, with an estimated investment of Rs. 7048 crore, employment of 71,000 and subsidy of Rs. 1,000 crore.
Source: PIB