CITU members stage a demonstration in Virudhunagar on Thursday.
Members of CITU on Thursday staged a protest at the Collectorate here against the State Government for not taking action to help the weavers produce new varieties of free sarees and dhotis.
Addressing the protesters, Dindigul MP N. Sanchithanantham said the production of sarees was abruptly stopped after the government announced changes in the varieties of sarees and dhoties and the weavers in Rajapalayam and Srivilliputtur regions had been rendered jobless for the past four months.
“Every weaver has to spend at least ₹1,000 to make changes in their looms to suit the new variety of sarees to be produced,” he said.
Each weaver would be able to weave only two sarees of the new variety in a day. The present wage was fixed several years ago and it was grossly inadequate considering the present day inflation, the MP said.
He pointed out that the weavers had opened gruel centres to highlight their plight. However, no action had been taken to mitigate their livelihood issue.
He said Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay should intervene in the issue. The union wanted the government to provide ₹250 wage for weaving each saree and ₹10,000 assistance for each month to weavers of pedal looms. who lost their jobs The government should also procure all stocks available with the weavers immediately.
The speakers also pressed that the government take steps to make changes in the looms to suit the new varieties of sarees and other paraphernalia should also be provided.
CITU Handloom Weavers Association district secretary A. Ramar, presided over the protest. CITU district secretary P.N. Deva and district president M. Mahalakhsmi addressed the protesters.
Published – September 17, 2026 09:57 pm IST
