Date:27/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/27/stories/2008092759620700.htm

Tamil Nadu

Prolonged power cut renders powerloom weavers jobless

S.Vydhianathan

It has also affected the quality of fabrics and expert schedule

CHENNAI: Thousands of powerloom weavers remain jobless in the State, especially in Erode, Salem and Coimbatore districts, due to the prolonged power cut, which has affected the quality of powerloom fabrics and their export schedule, says M.S. Mathivanan, Chairman of the Powerloom Development and Export Promotion Council.

Talking to The Hindu here on Thursday, Mr. Mathivanan said a majority of the workers were working on piece rate system. Due to power cut, powerlooms had to curtail their production, which directly affected the weavers. A few months ago, the fall in dollar value affected their turnover. Now, there was appreciation in dollar value. But, the powerloom owners were not able to meet their export commitments, thereby incurring heavy loss. Added to their woes was the steep hike in yarn prices, which had gone up by over 40 per cent in the last one year.

Demanding a ban on export of waste cotton, Mr. Mathivanan said export home-furnishing products were manufactured by powerlooms from waste cotton. Due to export, the cost of waste cotton had increased, which led to increase in the price of finished materials. A ban on export would not affect cotton farmers as waste cotton was a by-product of textile mills. Indian exporters were not able to compete with Bangladesh and China as they were able to quote a lower price for their products. The chairman said the council, a body set up by the Union Textile Ministry, recently received information from textile importers of France that they had appealed to their government for a free trade agreement between the European Union and India as importers preferred Indian goods.

Appealing to the State government to reduce the power tariff for handloom units in integrated textile park at Kumarapalayam, where 300 looms were operating, Mr. Mathivanan said at least units up to 50 HP should be given concession.

Mr. Mathivanan who is here in connection with Texpo - 2008 exhibition being organised in the city from October 3 to 8, said this was the first time that such an exhibition was planned by the council.