While the present textile policy had served the sector well, India should have a new policy in tune with the present requirements and realities, he said presiding over the first meeting of the expert committee on textile policy here.

Time had come to take a holistic view of the issue so than an integrated approach could be formulated on problems and strategies relating to the textile sector, he said.

Stressing the need to preserve the enormous diversity of India's textile sector, he said special needs of north eastern states would have to be addressed besides catering to requirements of handloom and khadi weavers, artisans, jute, wool and silk sectors.

Developments relating to world trade organisation (wto), progressive globalisation of trade in textiles and compelling need for modernisation of the industry to make it competitive were some of the issues which required fresh look, he said.

expressing concern over India's three per cent negligible share in global textile trade, rana said the expert committee should look into the impediments coming in the way of textile exports

it should also examine ways of upgrading technology in organised and unorganised sector, he said.

New initiatives such as cotton technology mission and technology upgradation fund were being taken but still the decline of the mill sector, increased investment in spinning sector as compared to weaving and processing and ensuring healthy growth of powerloom had to be examined.

While envisioning a technologically efficient and cost effective textile industry, roles of public sector mills had to be reassessed, he said.

Former textile secretary S R Sathyam heads the 12-member expert committee on textile policy set up yesterday.