Women readymade garment cluster inaugurated at Alangulam; likely to attract those working in beedi rolling industry

Chief Minister inaugurates women's garment cluster in Alangulam, aiming to empower women in the garment industry efficiently.

Chief Minister M. K. Stalin inaugurated the women readymade garment cluster established at Alangulam in the district through videoconferencing on Saturday.

District Collector A. K. Kamal Kishore and MP Rani Srikumar visited the cluster and lighted the traditional lamp after the Chief Minister inaugurated the venture, which has been started with the objective of attracting those women involved in beedi rolling industry. Moreover, this venture is also likely to attract the women tailors from Alangulam area now working in Tirupur knitting industry

After the formal inauguration, the women readymade garment cluster signed a memorandum of understanding with an apparels manufacturing unit at SIDCO Industrial Estate, Valliyoor, on making garments and marketing it in a streamlined manner.

Mr. Kamal Kishore said the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises was coordinating with 20 women working in the same industry and making similar products to create a clusters for a particular product as it would save a lot of resources, time and energy in efficiently making the products with superior quality. As this arrangement would need common infrastructure that would substantially cut down the investment cost while increasing the productivity, this successful model was being followed across the globe.

Under this scheme, the government was giving 90% assistance for creating infrastructure required for the cluster, installation of machinery, common facilitation centre and sustainable production line. Since Alangulam area was known for its readymade garment manufacturing as a vital alternative livelihood to beedi rolling, the readymade garment cluster had been created here by linking skilled women tailors for making apparels.

“This cluster, created on an outlay of ₹1.15 crore, will make clothes, do handmade and machine embroidery work, ‘aari’ work, pattern making etc. This venture will give employment to 80 women directly and another 200 indirectly as this unit will also have cutting, stitching, steam ironing and packaging work. This venture will encourage more women to come together for starting their units,” said Mr. Kamal Kishore.

General Manager of District Industries Centre P. Mariammal, Lead District Manager A. Ganesan, Tenkasi District MSME Units Association president S. Anbalagan and director of Alangulam Women’s Readymade Garment Manufacturers’ Cluster M. Valarmathi were present.