Powerloom federation welcomes ₹30-crore subsidy; seeks early release of pending wages

The Tamil Nadu Federation of Powerloom Associations has thanked the State government for allocating a ₹30-crore subsidy exclusively for the development and upgradation of powerlooms, accepting the long-pending demand of powerloom associations across the State.

A release from the federation said that, as per the revised Government Order, 3,000 powerlooms would receive ₹1 lakh each, totalling ₹30 crore. Earlier, the federation had opposed the decision to earmark ₹15 crore from the fund for the purchase of automatic looms, insisting that the entire amount be allotted solely for powerloom improvement. Accepting this request, the State government has now amended the allocation. In addition, the government has confirmed a further subsidy of ₹15 crore to support weavers in purchasing new rapier looms.

Expressing gratitude for the key policy decision, the federation thanked the Chief Minister, the Minister for Handlooms and Textiles, the Housing Minister, the Minister for Information and Publicity, the Erode MP and the Tiruchengode MLA.

Meanwhile, federation members, led by its State president, L.K.M. Suresh, met the Assistant Director of Handlooms and Textiles and urged early release of pending wages. Members from Erode, Chithode, Lakkapuram, Veerappanchatiram and other powerloom associations submitted a petition stating that 30% of the wages for the production of free dhotis and sarees manufactured up to the end of November were yet to be disbursed, and requested officials to expedite payment. Responding to the appeal, the Assistant Director assured that the request would be taken up immediately. He said arrangements would be made to release a major portion of the pending wages by the end of this week, and the remaining amount would be cleared by January 10.