Production statistics for textiles, in thousand tonnes, are shown in the following table.
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1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95
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Yarn (Thousand tonnes) 1,806 1,895 2,067 2,090
Cotton 1,450 1,523 1,622 1,580
Blends 234 247 305 350
100% non-cotton 122 125 140 160
Fabrics (Million sq. mtrs.)
Mills 2,376 2,000 1,990 1,875
Powerlooms 13,262 14,644 15,994 16,374
Handlooms 4,123 5,219 5,851 5,750
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Textiles is the largest single industry in India, accounting for about 15% of the overall industrial production. It provides direct employment to around 15 million people. Textile and clothing exports account for about 23% of the total value of exports from the country. There are 1,227 textile mills with a spinning capacity of about 29 million spindles. While yarn is mostly produced in the mills, fabrics are produced in the powerloom and handloom sectors as well.
In the Garment Sector, the Government have opened up the domestic market to manufacturers, following the signing of the Agreement on Textiles & Clothings, which provides for a dismantling of the discriminatory quota regime, practced under the Multi Fibre Agreement, within a definite time span of 10 years.
Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, Bombay
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Last updated: April 1995.