Mysore:(DH) Narasimharaja MLA Tanveer Sait on Friday demanded the Textiles department to restore the defunct K R Mill on the outskirts of the city.

Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the divisional level workshop on New Textiles Policy-2013-18, organised in the city, Sait said Krishnarajendra Mill, popularly known as K R Mill that was founded by the erstwhile rulers of Mysore Wadiyar’s was once a lifeline of thousands of workers. The government should resume operations at the mill, he said.

Drawing an analogy between the indigenous mills in neighbouring States like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Sait said that sales outlets of those mills could be seen in Mysore district too. “Similarly, our own mills should set up shops outside the State too,” he said. He exhorted the Textiles department to formulate plans to encourage sales in this regard.He also cautioned against the release of industrial effluents into water bodies. Women, who form the major chunk of workers in factories should be provided with more facilities and security, while workers in general should get minimum pay for job security. Sait cited the example of Davangere that was once known as a ‘City of Mills’.

Textiles Commissioner B F Patil said the new policy introduced in October 2013, was aimed at strengthening the textiles and garment sectors. An estimated grant of Rs 1,000 crore had been set aside for the purpose.

Handloom and Textiles department Poject Director Vijay Kumar B Nirale, Industries and Commerce department Joint Director Shivashankar, MLA Tanveer Sait during the workshop, in Mysore, on Friday.