Co-optex has introduced a new variety of silk sari especially for the middle class segment for this festival season. Called Marudham ‘Men pattu', the variety uses silk yarn that is not starched before it is woven into a sari. The lightweight saris with bright designs are priced from Rs.4,000 to Rs.6,000 and made by weavers in Coimbatore.
Handlooms and Textiles Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, who released the new variety on Wednesday, said the Handlooms Department hoped to sell Rs.85 crore worth products and expected to earn a profit of Rs.20 crore. During the Deepavali season last year, Co-optex earned Rs.77 crore, making a profit of over Rs.16 crore.
A total of 250 new designs would be introduced during the festival season, he said, inaugurating an exhibition of Co-optex, which will be on till Jaunary 31, 2011. Co-optex at present offers 20 per cent rebate on cotton and silk products. An additional rebate of 10 per cent would be offered on all products sold at Co-optex showrooms across the State during the festival season.
Mr. Ramachandran said the salaries of Co-optex employees will increase by 11 per cent with retrospective effect from July 1, 2009. A government order to this effect had been issued recently, he said.
