India’s SLRD to run Meghalaya state's largest apparel unit

Haryana-based School of Livelihood and Rural Development (SLRD) will run the largest apparel manufacturing factory in India’s Meghalaya state located in Hatisil near Ampati in South West Garo Hills. SLRD has acquired the unit, set up at a cost of Rs 14.26 crore by the central ministry of textiles of under the North East Region Textiles Promotion Scheme (NERTPS).

SLRD is an autonomous institution working with the Indian Government, various state governments and other institutions on long-term sustainable development. NERTPS is an umbrella scheme for the development of various textile segments.

The factory, inaugurated by textiles minister Smriti Irani last year, has three units, two of them housing 105 sewing machines each, and the third one having 70 machines, according to media reports.

However, the factory remained idle for a year and a half while the two different agencies that the unit was allocated to in that duration failed to meet their commitment to start production.

Later, SLRD was the only applicant that bid for running the factory and was awarded the project in September 2018.

SLRD is active in the weaving sector with its weaving and handloom centres that currently engage 300 women.

Initially, SLRD will look at catering to local consumers and armed forces, and later venture out to national and international markets.

Nearly 300 workers will be appointed immediately and the number may grow to 2,000 when production reaches maximum capacity.