09.09.91
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(vii) Need to prevent export of raw cotton in order to safeguard the interest of Handloom weavers in Tamil Nadu and other parts of the
country
SHRI CHINNASAMY SRINIVASAN (Dindigul): In Tamil Nadu, several people belonging to poor and weaker sections are engaged in tiny and small handloom industry. The existence of handloom industry basically depends on the availability of raw materials such as cotton and yarn.
675 Matters Under Rule 377
[Sh. Chinasamy Srinivasan]
In Dindigul, which comprises Athur and its neighbouring taluks, lakhs of weavers are enaged in the production of handloom goods. The previous Government at the Centre had introduced a policy to export a large quantity of raw cotton and this policy still continues. Now, several lakhs of weavers belonging to weaker sections in the whole of Tamil Nadu and perhaps in the whole country are finding it extremely difficult to produce handloom goods worth several crores of rupees without the availability of basic raw material, namely, cotton. The handloom goods are exported to foreign countries which earn a substantial amount of foreign exchange. To avoid further unemployment in the handloom sector, and possible agitations and hunger strikes in the country. I would request the Government kindly to look into this matter immediately and take urgent steps and withdraw the orders of forcible condition of export of raw cotton to foreign countries.
09.09.91