A. Sakthivel welcomed Vrunda Manohar Desai and R. Lalitha during their visit to Tirupur on May 15, 2026, where discussions focused on workforce infrastructure needs for the knitwear and apparel industry.
During the interaction, Dr. Sakthivel emphasized the urgent requirement for affordable worker hostel accommodation to support the sector’s expanding workforce demand, particularly as Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) open up new export opportunities for India’s apparel industry.
He also reiterated the industry’s proposal seeking a 50% capital subsidy for the construction of worker hostels, with the remaining funding supported through concessional loans at an interest rate of 5%.
The Textile Commissioner informed stakeholders that the Ministry of Textiles is actively working on the proposed scheme and expressed confidence that a positive announcement could be made soon. Smt. R. Lalitha assured the Tamil Nadu Government’s support in facilitating the necessary infrastructure and amenities for the sector.