CM seeks two more NIFT centres in UP

Lucknow: Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has asked the Central government to open at least two more centres of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in the state.
In a letter written to Union textile minister Santosh Gangwar on Thursday, the chief minister said there is huge demand for garments in the state. Putting forth the state’s case, he said UP is a popular hub of textile industry and has clusters in Kanpur, Meerut and other parts.
Akhilesh asked the Centre to open NIFT centres in Noida and Lucknow at the earliest. The CM said that lone NIFT centre in Rae Bareli does not suffice to train the budding designers for the apparel industry in the state.
Rae Bareli NIFT was opened during UPA regime at the intervention of the Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
In his letter, Akhilesh said since Lucknow is hub of chikan clothes the setting up of NIFT would provide better opportunities to chikan workers.
In another letter to the Union textile minister on Thursday, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav reminded him that the Central government has also promised to open handicraft clusters in Sitapur and Shahjahanpur.