New labs for Kasturi Cotton global push in 6 states.

The government is taking steps to establish Kasturi Cotton Bharat as a prominent global brand by setting up dedicated testing labs in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, and Karnataka. These labs, in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), will ensure adherence to national quality standards. India aims to rival renowned global cotton brands like Supima and Giza, known for their exceptional softness and durability.

Kasturi Cotton Bharat boasts of tringent quality standards, including a strict 2 per cent cap on trash content and 100 per cent traceability. However, the absence of dedicated testing facilities raises concerns about the authenticity of certification reports until they gain NABL accreditation. The textiles ministry is devising a comprehensive testing action plan to enhance overall quality standards, promoting Indian textiles globally.

Stakeholder consultations are currently underway to ensure that all testing labs, including those operated by key entities like the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), the Cotton Association of India (CAI), and the Textiles Research Association, achieve NABL accreditation.

This accreditation is vital to meet international quality standards and enhance the credibility of testing reports. Simultaneously, technological upgrades are being implemented to enable real-time testing, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of assessments. The lack of NABL accreditation in most testing facilities under the textiles ministry poses a significant challenge to the global acceptance of Indian cotton products.

To strengthen India's textiles ecosystem, the government is focusing on addressing skill gaps, infrastructure development, and attracting investments. Initiatives like PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM-MITRA) parks, production-linked incentives, Technical Textiles Mission, Samarth, and the National Handloom Development Programme are pivotal.

The ministry aims to attract Rs 95,000 crore in investments, creating 2.25 million new jobs within 4-6 years, with Rs 25,000 crore through the PLI scheme and Rs 70,000 crore through the PM-MITRA parks scheme.