10-day handloom expo begins in Kovai

Minister for Handlooms and Textiles M. Vijay Balaji inaugurated “The Grand India Dusshera Diwali Handloom Mahotsav” and sale at
Ramalakshmi Mahal on Avinashi Road in
Coimbatore city on
Tuesday, and distributed welfare assistance to
weavers.
Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar presided.
Organised by the Weavers Service Centre, Salem, under the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Union Ministry of
Textiles, the 10-day event will run till October 22.
It has 60 stalls with handloom products from across the country, including Kancheepuram silk, Pochampally, Patola, Paithani, Banarasi and Bomkai sarees, shawls, chaddars, carpets and dress materials.
Twenty-four weavers received equipment at 90% subsidy under the National Handloom Development Programme: one electronic jacquard and 23 motorised jacquard lifting machines.
Three award-winning weavers were given certificates for a monthly pension of ₹8,000, and four weavers for financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh a year per child for textile education.
Speaking to reporters
later, Mr. Balaji said the demand for a wage hike for workers in the sector was under review, and officials were holding discussions with weavers. A decision would be taken soon.