🏛️ Description
British India Corporation Ltd. (BIC) is a public sector enterprise under the administrative control of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Established during the British era, the company was a major industrial conglomerate engaged in manufacturing woollen and worsted fabrics, jute goods, and other textile products. BIC has played a historic role in the evolution of India’s textile and industrial landscape, contributing significantly to employment generation and exports in the early post-independence era.
The company manages two prominent woollen mills — Cawnpore Woollen Mills and Lal Imli Mills — both located in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, which were once renowned globally for their fine woollen products and army uniforms.
🎯 Mandate
- Manufacture, process, and market woollen textiles and allied products.
- Promote modernization and revival of traditional textile manufacturing units.
- Support the objectives of the Government of India in the textile sector, especially in employment and export growth.
- Collaborate with research institutions and public sector undertakings for product diversification.
- Assist in the preservation of India’s industrial heritage in woollen textiles.
🧶 Activities & Contributions
- Production of premium woollen fabrics, blankets, and hosiery products.
- Supply of defence textiles and institutional fabrics to government agencies.
- Employment generation and skill development in the Kanpur industrial belt.
- Conservation of legacy manufacturing techniques and craftsmanship in woollen textiles.
- Support to MSMEs and textile clusters for modernization and revival of operations.
🌍 Focus Areas
- Modernization and financial restructuring of legacy textile PSUs.
- Adoption of new technologies for sustainable textile production.
- Promotion of Indian woollen products in domestic and global markets.
- Collaboration with the National Textile Corporation (NTC) for strategic revival initiatives.
- Skill enhancement and capacity building in traditional textile sectors.
🌐 Official Website
🔗 https://texmin.gov.in (Under the Ministry of Textiles)
🏢 Offices & Contacts
Headquarters:
British India Corporation Ltd.
P.O. Kanpur – 208001,
Uttar Pradesh, India
Telephone: +91-512-231xxxx
Email: info@bicindia.in
Website: texmin.gov.in
Lal Imli Mills (Cawnpore): One of India’s oldest woollen mills, manufacturing blankets, tweeds, and suiting fabrics for defence and civilian use.
Cawnpore Woollen Mills: Specialized in high-quality worsted yarn and woollen products for institutional and export markets.
Marketing Division (Kanpur): Managed domestic and export distribution of BIC products.
🏢 Parent Organisation
- Ministry of Textiles, Government of India: Administrative control — texmin.gov.in
Shri Giriraj Singh (born 8 September 1952 in Bihar) is a senior BJP leader and the current Union Minister of Textiles (since June 2024). A seasoned politician, he earlier served as Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Animal Husbandry, and MSMEs, after a long stint in Bihar politics. Known for his outspoken style, Singh has positioned himself as a strong advocate of self-reliance, pushing for reduced textile imports and greater exports. His current focus is on boosting India’s handloom sector, modernizing supply chains, and creating jobs in one of the country’s most employment-rich industries.
Shri Giriraj Singh, Minister of Textiles | email – minister[dot]textiles[at]gov[dot]in | Landline : 011-23060582, ext – 387
Smt. Neelam Shami Rao is a senior IAS officer currently serving as the Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. With decades of administrative experience, she has held key leadership roles in governance, policy implementation, and institutional reforms. Known for her efficient, forward-looking approach, she is now focused on strengthening India’s textile sector, driving initiatives to boost exports, modernize traditional crafts, support handloom weavers, and position India as a global leader in sustainable and competitive textile manufacturing.
Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary | email – secy-textiles[at]nic[dot]in | Landline : 011-23061769, ext – 203
Shri Giriraj Singh (born 8 September 1952 in Bihar) is a senior BJP leader and the current Union Minister of Textiles (since June 2024). A seasoned politician, he earlier served as Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Animal Husbandry, and MSMEs, after a long stint in Bihar politics. Known for his outspoken style, Singh has positioned himself as a strong advocate of self-reliance, pushing for reduced textile imports and greater exports. His current focus is on boosting India’s handloom sector, modernizing supply chains, and creating jobs in one of the country’s most employment-rich industries.
Shri Giriraj Singh, Minister of Textiles | email – minister[dot]textiles[at]gov[dot]in | Landline : 011-23060582, ext – 387