Rs 14 crore boost for cooperative textile mills in State

In a statement here, she said handloom, handicraft, textile and khadi industries contributed highest revenue to the State after the productivity from agriculture. 

She said the six cooperative mills in the state were modernised at a cost of Rs 175.23 crore. These mills manufacture threads for the government’s free dhothi and saree scheme and free uniform scheme to schoolchildren. 

For these mills, she ordered purchasing of twister and doubling machines and comber machines and open end spinning machines at a cost of Rs 14.20 crore. There were 1,357 handloom and machine loom cooperative associations in the State and a total of 1,500 people were employed in these industries. 

She said 50 per cent subsidy would be provided towards the insurance premium for the benefit of the powerloom workers. The subsidy will be provided by the weavers’ cooperative societies. 

Also, steps would be taken to boost ‘Poompuhar’ with an initiative to train the employees and help them market their products for which a new Integrated Development and Promotion of Handicrafts scheme would be launched, the Chief Minister said.  

While the Centre would provide Rs 17.14 crore, the State government would provide Rs 3.24 crore as subsidy for this scheme, she added. 

She also announced welfare schemes for the benefit of potters as promised in the election manifesto.