The rebuilding of handloom industry which was on the edge of destruction was revived with the timely involvement and actions of the State Government. The handloom industry faced losses worth Rs. 2.84 crore. About Rs 31.21 lakh worth thread which was used to distribute in the handloom co-operative sectors in Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Thrissur districts got damaged due to the excessive rise of water. A number of NGOs came up with financial aids, thus adding fuel to the revival activities of these damaged looms. Handloom sectors have also obtained 14 new looms with these helping hands.
The flood that had hit Kerala last year had created massive losses, catalysing nine handlooms co-operative sectors in Ernakulam district, Yarn Bank and the Khadi sectors in Chendamangalam.More than 250 looms in the industry were impaired. Co-operative products, raw materials, dye-house, work shed and furniture were all damaged. Due to these reasons, there was a deflation of employment in the handloom sector for about four-and-a-half months. About 300 weavers, 25 related workers and dependent families were faced with drastic economic crises. The revival of this industry has been gradually done.
The rebuilding of handloom industry which was on the edge of destruction was revived with the timely involvement and actions of the State Government. The handloom industry faced the destruction of Rs 2.84 crore. About Rs 31.21 lakh worth thread which was used to distribute in the handloom co-operative sectors in Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Thrissur districts got damaged due to the excessive rise of water. A number of NGOs came up with financial aids, thus adding fuel to the revival activities of these damaged looms. Handloom sectors also obtained 14 new looms with these helping hands.
A Common Facility Centre (C.F.C.) under the certification of the State Government is to be established aiming at the revival and rebuilding of the handloom co-operative sectors in Chendamangalam district. C.F.C. facilitates yarn bank, dyeing unit and drying block at a cost of Rs 2.35 crore. A consent form has been handed over to Chendamangalam yarn bank to hold the lease of 30 cents of their owned property for 15 years. The State Government has earmarked Rs 50 lakhs for the current fiscal year.
SURVIVAL OF KHADI SECTOR
Around 19 spinning units, seven weaving units, one Khadi Grama Soubagya, two Khadi Soubagya and three Grama Soubagya sales units are facilitating under Ernakulam District Khadi and Village Industries Office, headed by the Kerala Khadi and Village Industries Board. About a number of 370 employees are working in the Khadi production centres. The deluge affected the Khadi production centres of Karimpadam, Muravanthuruthu, Paliyamthuruthu, and Karumalloor (street weaving). The excessive surge of water in the flood-damaged products and equipment in Muvattupuzha Khadi Soubagya, Malayattoor Gur and Khandsari Industrial Co-Operative Sector, Kerala Khadi and Village Industries Federation, and Gandhi Memorial GramaSeva Kendra. The Khadi sector suffered a total loss of Rs.2.58 crore.
Cochin Shipyard allotted an amount of Rs.21,11,00 from the CSR fund to repair and replace the damaged spinning wheels and looms in the Gandhi Memorial GramaSeva Kendra. Out of these damaged types of equipment, 54 spinning wheels and 9 looms were replaced with brand new ones. The ruined 107 spinning wheels and 49 looms were made re-functioning. Along with this, the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited has imparted a capital investment of Rs.6.8 lakh for the purchase of raw materials.
