The Thillaiyadi Valliammai Silk Palace (Co-optex centre) in Egmore here will be refurbished into an artistic and modern space at a cost of ₹2 crore, State Handlooms Minister O.S. Manian said in the Assembly on Thursday.
“Former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran set up this Co-optex complex in 1982. It continues to be one of the oldest and the most popular stores in Chennai,” said Mr. Manian. Another ₹2 crore will be spent to refurbish Co-optex stores in Tiruchi, Tiruvannamalai and Thoothukudi. The State government will celebrate the National Handloom Day on August 7 in a grand manner, Mr. Manian said. “Handloom exhibitions will be conducted in every district and awards presented to the best weavers and companies that increased production in the State. We will also exhibit the best handloom clothes. A sum of ₹1.5 crore has been set aside to celebrate this day,” he said.
The Minister announced that a Handlooms Sales Development Department would be established at a cost of ₹25 lakh.
