Minister for Handlooms, Textiles and Khadi M. Vijay Balaji on Monday met Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh and submitted a 20-point memorandum seeking the Centre’s support for Tamil Nadu’s handloom, powerloom and textile sectors.
The memorandum sought the establishment of an Integrated Powerloom Park in Erode, Silk Export Facilitation and Product Diversification Centres, and financial assistance for the second phase of the Handloom Silk Park at Arni. It also called for international marketing support for handloom products and measures for the overall development of the sector.
Key demands included exemption of handloom products from the Goods and Services Tax (GST), inclusion of pure zari and half-fine zari yarn under the Raw Material Supply Scheme, establishment of a silver thread production unit at Tamil Nadu Zari Limited in Kancheepuram, release of pending Central assistance, and financial support for Common Effluent Treatment Plants with Zero Liquid Discharge facilities in textile clusters in Erode, Namakkal and Karur.
The State also urged the Centre to permanently remove the 11% import duty on cotton beyond October 31, 2026, promote technical textiles and exports, expedite implementation of the Site Adjacent Factory Employee Accommodation (SAFE) Scheme, extend support for the Theni Vaigai Hi-tech Weaving Park, and revive the Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP).
Other demands included assistance for marketing and sourcing hubs in Madurai and Tirunelveli, organisation of Gandhi Shilp Bazaars, upgradation of the Common Facility Centre for bronze icons at Swamimalai, and establishment of a Common Facility Centre for wood carving at Kallakurichi.
Published - July 14, 2026 07:30 pm IST