Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today unveiled new schemes for handloom, handicraft, textile and khadi industries.

In a statement here, she said handloom, handicraft, textile and khadi industries contributed highest revenue to the State after the productivity from agriculture.

The government would invest Rs. 175.23 crores to renovate six cooperative mills, she said. The mills currently manufacture threads for the government’s free dhoti/sari scheme and one under which free uniforms are distributed for school children.

The funds would be utilised for purchasing twister and doubling machines and comber machines and open end spinning machines.

There are as many as 1,357 handloom and machine loom cooperative associations in the State. As many as 1,500 are employed in these industries. To benefit the workers, the handloom employees are benefitted, 50 per cent subsidy would be provided for their insurance premium. The subsidy would be provided by the machine loom cooperative association.

Also steps would be taken to boost ‘Poompuhar’ with an initiative to train the employees and help them sell their products. That apart, the Government would provide incentives to potters to help them tide over difficult times.