The Tamil Nadu Government will examine all the demands put forward by the textile industry, said R. Gandhi, Minister for Handlooms and Textiles, during a meeting with industry stakeholders in Coimbatore on Wednesday.
Addressing representatives from the textile and apparel sectors, Gandhi noted that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin continues to prioritise the development of the textile and apparel industry despite the State’s financial constraints. He stated that every suggestion and request made by the industry would be carefully considered. The Minister also mentioned that the Union Government is preparing a package for exporters affected by US tariffs.
Industry representatives from Coimbatore, Tirupur, Karur, Dindigul, and Erode raised a range of concerns, including the need for short-term financial assistance for exporters supplying to the US market, a reduction in electricity tariffs, and initiatives to promote solar energy generation. They also sought higher subsidies for powerloom modernisation, support for marine discharge of treated textile effluents, and incentives for the development of waterless textile processing machinery. Additionally, they urged the State Government to extend machinery purchase incentives across all segments of the textile value chain.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi inaugurated a mini handloom park at Sirumugai, developed at a cost of Rs. 1.12 crore (US $ 126,000). The facility, which houses 50 looms, aims to produce Kora and soft silk sarees and fabrics worth Rs. 4 crore (US $ 450,000) annually, providing each weaver with a monthly income of Rs. 18,000, according to an official press release.
He also inaugurated a mini textile park at Palladam, established at a cost of Rs. 4.5 crore (US $ 506,000), with the State Government contributing 50% of the funding as a subsidy. The park is expected to create 100 jobs and produce approximately 28 lakh metres of fabric annually.
