Centre working out packages to revamp handloom sector

Chennai, Jun 18 (UNI) The Centre is working out a new handloom package to providee a fresh lease of life to the handloom sector, which engaged a huge number of skilful workers next to agriculture sector, Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh has said.

Addressing a press conference here lastnight, Mr Ramesh pointed out that the proposed package included the establishment of 100 new clusters with an investment of Rs 50 crore.

He said 18 facilities will be promoted as part of the proposed package and in Tamil Nadu 22 locations have been identified including Nagercoil, Ettayapuram, Rajapalayam, Srivilliputhur, Paramakkudi, Madurai, Chinnalapatti, Woriyur (Tiruchirapalli), Jayankondam, Tirupuvanam, Kurinjipadi, Chennimalai, Kancheepuram and Salem.

He said four more clusters under the Integrated Handloom Cluster Development Scheme would be established at Kancheepuram, Dindigul, Salem and Karur at a cost of Rs 2 crore. Twntifivemore such clusters would be set up across the country.

He said the Tamil Nadu accounted for one-third of the country's handloom exports of 0 million last year. The Cooptex recorded sales of Rs. 400 crore in 2005-06, he added.

Mr Ramesh who also visited the Cooptex complex and held discussions with the Tamil Nadu Government officials said "we have to increase the coverage of weavers cooperative societies in Tamil Nadu too, where it is 45 per cent as against the national average of 15 per cent." Other initiatives being mooted by the Centre for handloom weavers included reduction in the cost of credit and speeding up the conversion of pit looms to jacquard looms, and a technology upgraded scheme to modernise looms for enhancing the productivity over a period of five years.

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