Date:28/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/28/stories/2008082850270100.htm

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Salem gets handloom clusters

S. Ramesh

Generating Income: These clusters will help build up weavers’ capacity to meet the challenges of market.

SALEM: Two handloom clusters have been formed for weavers in the Attayampatti and Edapadi regions to ensure “inclusive and holistic” development of handlooms in Salem district.

The clusters, established under the Centrally-sponsored Integrated Handloom Cluster Development Scheme, will build up the weavers’ capacity to meet the challenges of the market and global competition in a sustainable and self-reliant manner.

Over 300 weavers in Attaiyampatti, Chennagiri, S. Papparapatti, and Marulaiyampalayam panchayats, who are now involved in making dhotis under the State government scheme, are covered by the Attaiyampatti cluster. Weavers numbering 265 in Vellandi Valasu, Dathapuram, Nachiapalayam, Chettipatti, Thevur and Edapadi urban areas are covered by the Edapadi cluster.

The scheme will seek to meet the needs of weavers in these clusters.

Objective

It will take care of the supply of raw materials, including yarn, marketing support, design input, modernisation of weaving units and welfare of weavers.

Training will be provided for weavers on various aspects, including design development, production and marketing.

For the development of the Attaiyampatti cluster Rs. 59.99 lakh has been earmarked for three years; for Edapadi the corresponding sum is Rs. 52.60 lakh.