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Irani Urges Odisha To Revive OTM For Receiving Textile Impetus

The Odisha state government has received impetus for giving a boost to the textile sector in the state from the Union textile ministry on condition that they take initiative to reopen the Odisha Textile Mills (OTM) at Choudwar. The then chief minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik had set up the mill in 1950. In 2001 the mill had closed down.

The proposal for conditional backing to revive the textile industry in the state came from Union Minister Smriti Irani. The minister expressed the sentiment that the current state government had failed to take adequate measures to effect a revival. She was speaking at the BJP’s state executive meeting that was held at Bhubaneswar. The minister averred that the Center was keen on developing the textile industry in the state but it also required adequate cooperation from the state.

The state Industries Minister Ananta Das responded positively to the announcement stating efforts will be made to revive OTM. He suggested that as a first step there should be a discussion held between the center and state officials to address this issue.

On this count, an earlier state government proposal to set up an integrated textile and apparel park at the OTM complex had failed to take off.