TN Govt to set up hi-tech weaving parks

Chennai, Aug 12 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu government will establish three hi-tech weaving parks in the state at a cost of Rs 300 crore each, Handlooms and Textiles Minister N K K P Raja told the state Assembly today.

Replying to the debate on the demand for grants for his department, he said the Weaving parks would be set up at Andipatti, Palladam and Kumarapalayam. The State had approaced the Centre for Assistance under the integrated textile park scheme.

The parks were expected to generate employment to nearly 5000 people, he said and added that cluster approach was found to be the right module to attain the economy of scale and to compete in the global market.

The weaving parks were being set up keeping this in mind.

He said to begin with the government would implement the Integrated Handloom Cluster Development programme in Tiruchirapalli, Kurinjipadi and Tiruvannamalai districts with an assistance of RS 200 lakh each.

Mr Raja also announced development of 500 new designs in coordination with the National Institute of Designs, Ahmedabad, for introducing in the Weavers Cooperative Socities at a cost of Rs 25 lakh each during the current year.

The government would also impart skill upgradation training to 1000 weavers in dyeing and designing at a cost of Rs 25 lakh.

The government was taking steps to set up an exclusive processing park at Cuddalore under the Centre's Integrated Textile Park scheme.

SIPCOT had allotted about 300 acres of land and the works have commenced.

With a view to protecting the traditional Indian heritage, handloom products like Kancheepuram Silk sarees, Bhavai Jamakkalam (bed spread), and Madurai Sungudi sarees have been registered under Geographical Indications Act.

Providing a thrust to the export sector, Mr Raja said two apparel parks would come up in the hosiery town of Tiruppur and at Irungattukottai near Chennai at a cost of Rs 600 crore to boost exports.

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