She has also alloted 92 lakh rupees to set up weavers training centres in Kancheepuram and Kumbakonam.

The government led by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has been taking resolute measures to implement the Integrated Silk Park project to help protect and uplift the silk weaving industry, having a pride of place among the traditional occupations of Tamil Nadu and with a view to improve the rural economy of the state. She had earlier given permission to provide up to 9 percent of the plan outlay as subsidy not exceeding 9 crore rupees to all the Textile Parks set up in Tamil Nadu under the Integrated Textile Park Project.

A Tamil Nadu government press release today said that the Chief Minister has ordered setting up of the Perarignar Anna Handloom Silk Park at Keezhkadhirpur village in Kancheepuram district over an area of 75 acres of government land. The plan outlay for setting up of the scheme is 83 crore 83 lakh rupees. The state government will give 9 percent subsidy which amounts to 7 crore 54 lakh rupees.

The cost of the 75 acres of government land is 13 crore 77 lakh 25,794 rupees. Apart from the Tamil Nadu government's subsidy of 7.54 crore rupees, the remaining 6.23 crore rupees will be given as government loan without guarantee payable within 5 years. The Park will have all infrastructure facilities including loom centres for silk saree production, dyeing units, designing centre, laboratory, training centre, dispensary, public amenities centre, retail sales division, exhibition hall and a centre to store raw materials among other things. The Tamil Nadu government will provide all basic facilities for the setting up of this Silk Park including road, water, drainage and effluent treatment plant. About ten thousand silk weavers will benefit directly and indirectly through this Silk Park.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has ordered setting up of Weavers Training Centre in Kumbakonam and Kancheepuram, known for handloom textiles. This will help production of handloom textiles with new designs and improved quality using high level techniques and sophisticated technology. It will also aid in creating an awareness that weaving is not a community specific industry but any one trained properly can take it as an occupation. Ms Jayalalithaa has alloted 92.19 lakh rupees, the amount equally divided between ,  Kumbakonam and Kancheepuram, where the centres are to be set up.

Accordingly, the training centres will be set up in the buildings belonging to the defunct Handloom and Powerloom Weavers Cooperative Societies in Kumbakonam and Kancheepuram. Training in weaving, dyeing, designing, tanning and art work will be imparted there.

These resolute steps taken by the state government will help uplift the handloom industry in Tamil Nadu and also ensure that handloom weavers get continuous job opportunities, thus lifting up their living standards.