Functionaries of 104 Power loom Cooperative Societies from Erode, Tiruchengodu, Tirupur and Coimbatore districts have been instructed to complete production of saris and dhotis meant for free distribution for Pongal festival before November during a review meeting chaired by Minister for Handlooms and Textiles S. Gokula Indira.

The Minister handed over to the representatives of the societies benefits including computers and loan cards under government schemes in the presence of her colleagues Industries Minister Thangamani, Environment Minister Thoppu N.D. Venkatachalam. Harmandar Singh, Principal Secretary, Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi Department, Co-optex Managing Director T.N. Venkatesh and District Collector S. Prabakar also took part.

Ms. Gokula Indira also initiated the training program at the Handloom Weaving Training Centre, Ashokapuram, under Integrated Skill Development Program 2015-16.

Last year, 160 weavers from Erode and Namakkal districts were trained at an expenditure of Rs. 16.96 lakh funded by Central and State governments.

A total of 160 weavers drawn from Erode, Namakkal, Tirupur and Coimbatore are to receive training in four batches in new technologies for producing a variety of handloom products.