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Tamil Nadu Weavers Federation Meets CM Stalin in Erode, Seeks Free Electricity Promise

L Rajagopal, SimpliCity News Team · 03 Apr 2026

Erode: Representatives of the Tamil Nadu Weavers Federation met Chief Minister MK Stalin during his visit to Erode and submitted a petition highlighting key demands of the weaving community. The delegation, led by State General Secretary Kandhavel along with Karunanidhi and Jaganathan, expressed both gratitude and concerns regarding election promises made to weavers.

Speaking about the meeting, Kandhavel stated that the DMK election manifesto included 16 demands concerning weavers' welfare, along with schemes for micro and small-scale industries. The manifesto also promised solutions to the dyeing effluent problems prevalent in the textile sector. "We thanked the Chief Minister for including these promises in the manifesto," he said.

Kandhavel acknowledged the state government's various initiatives for handloom and powerloom weavers over the past five years. He particularly highlighted a historic achievement where Tamil Nadu became the first state in India to modernize ordinary powerlooms into shuttleless powerlooms. The government allocated Rs 30 crore as the first phase of this modernization program, which is currently being implemented successfully.

However, the weavers' representatives expressed disappointment over the absence of a crucial announcement in the election manifesto. "Handloom and powerloom weavers had greatly anticipated the announcement of free electricity, which was expected to be included in the DMK election manifesto. The lack of this announcement is disappointing," Kandhavel emphasized.

The petition strongly urged the Chief Minister to include the free electricity promise as an election commitment to improve the livelihood of handloom and powerloom weavers. The federation hopes that this long-standing demand will be incorporated into the party's electoral promises to support the weaving community's economic sustainability.

The meeting reflects the ongoing dialogue between the state government and the weaving community, which forms a significant part of Tamil Nadu's traditional economy and employment sector.

weavers handloom powerloom electricity dmk manifesto textile erode mk stalin kandhavel

Tamil Nadu Weavers Federation Meets CM Stalin in Erode, Seeks Free Electricity Promise

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