Tamil Nadu powerloom weavers seek law to protect yarn-based fabrics

Powerloom weavers have urged the Tamil Nadu government to pass a resolution in the state assembly, requesting the Centre to enact a law safeguarding the sector. They seek protection similar to The Handloom (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985, which prevents other sectors from producing handloom-designated goods.

In a letter to chief minister M K Stalin, Tamil Nadu Federation of Powerloom Associations joint coordinator B Kandavel highlighted the industry's significance, stating that powerlooms are the second-largest employment provider after agriculture. India has about 2.5 million powerlooms, with 540,000 in Tamil Nadu alone, supporting over 1 million workers, mainly rural women.

Kandavel pointed out that the rising import of second-hand auto looms, especially from China, has led to unfair competition. These looms produce fabrics traditionally made by powerlooms, causing severe losses. He noted that 30 per cent of powerloom units in Tamil Nadu have shut down due to lack of orders, threatening workers' livelihoods.

He urged the government to allocate specific textile varieties, including yarn-based fabrics, exclusively for powerlooms. A separate legislation is essential to ensure fair competition and revive the struggling sector, he added.