Maharashtra Explores Solar Integration in Textile Sector; Fadnavis Calls for Joint Committee

In a move to address persistent energy challenges in the textile industry, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has proposed the formation of a joint committee between the state’s textiles and energy departments to examine the adoption of solar power across textile units. The announcement came during a high-level review meeting of the textiles department held on Saturday.

Fadnavis emphasized leveraging renewable energy to ease power supply constraints in the textile sector and directed officials to modernize and grade cooperative spinning mills. He also called for the extension of the interest subsidy scheme on loans and proposed uniform financial assistance for new cooperative mills, with budget allocations from the Social Justice, Tribal Development, and OBC Welfare departments.

Further directives included amending the Integrated and Sustainable Textile Policy 2023–28, expediting the registration of power looms, and introducing a policy to recover dues from cooperative units. A no-objection certificate was also sought from the Maharashtra State Khadi Village Industries Board for renovation work at the Silk Directorate in Pune.

The CM reviewed key proposals such as forming the Maharashtra State Textiles Development Corporation, merging the Textiles Commissionerate and Silk Directorate, and revising spinning mill project costs from ₹80.9 crore to ₹118 crore. He also discussed the permanent acquisition of Red Cross Society land in Satara for silk department use.

Textiles Minister Sanjay Savkare, MLC Amrish Patel, and senior officials attended the meeting.