Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced a slew of measures to meet the demands of handloom and powerloom weavers in the state. The announcement comes amid growing concerns over the condition of weavers in Tamil Nadu, who have been struggling to make ends meet due to a variety of factors, including rising costs of materials and reduced demand for their products.
In a recent press conference, the Chief Minister outlined a number of initiatives aimed at improving the situation for weavers. Among the measures announced were the creation of a dedicated handloom and powerloom cluster in Salem, the allocation of Rs. 200 crore to the Tamil Nadu Handloom Weavers’ Cooperative Society (THWCS), and the launch of a new scheme to provide free power to handloom and powerloom weavers in the state.
The creation of a dedicated handloom and powerloom cluster in Salem is intended to provide weavers with a central location where they can access all the resources and support they need to continue working. The cluster will be home to a range of facilities, including raw material banks, design centres, and marketing outlets.
The allocation of Rs. 200 crore to the THWCS is intended to help the cooperative society better support its members. The THWCS is responsible for providing a range of services to weavers, including sourcing raw materials, providing training and education, and marketing finished products. The additional funding will allow the THWCS to expand its operations and provide even more support to weavers.
The new scheme to provide free power to handloom and powerloom weavers is intended to reduce the burden of electricity costs on the industry. Weavers are currently required to pay for the electricity they use to power their looms, which can be a significant expense. By providing free power, the government hopes to make it easier for weavers to continue working and producing high-quality textiles.
In addition to these initiatives, the Chief Minister also announced plans to form a task force to help address the issues facing the handloom and powerloom sectors in Tamil Nadu. The task force will be made up of experts and stakeholders from across the industry, and will be responsible for identifying key challenges and developing solutions to address them.
The measures announced by the Chief Minister have been broadly welcomed by weavers and industry groups in Tamil Nadu. Many have praised the government for taking concrete steps to support the industry and improve the lives of weavers.
However, some have also called for additional support to be provided to weavers who are facing immediate financial hardship. Many weavers have been unable to work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and are struggling to make ends meet. Critics say that while the measures announced by the government are a step in the right direction, more needs to be done to provide immediate relief to weavers in need.
The handloom and powerloom sectors are a vital part of Tamil Nadu’s economy, and provide employment and income to a large number of people. However, the industry has been facing a number of challenges in recent years, including rising costs of raw materials, a decline in demand for traditional handloom products, and growing competition from cheap imported textiles.
The measures announced by the government are part of a broader effort to revive the industry and ensure the continued viability of handloom and powerloom weaving in Tamil Nadu. By providing weavers with the resources, support, and incentives they need to succeed, the government is helping to preserve a vibrant and important part of the state’s cultural and economic heritage.