Minister M. Vijay Balaji inspects the Kanniyakumari District Cooperative Spinning Mills at Aralvaimozhi.

| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Minister for Handlooms, Textiles and Khadi M. Vijay Balaji on Saturday inspected the Kanniyakumari District Cooperative Spinning Mills at Aralvaimozhi and Periyarasingan Street Primary Handloom Weavers Cooperative Production and Sales Society in Vadasery.He was accompanied by Principal Secretary T.N. Venkatesh and Collector M. Prathap.Following the inspection, Mr. Balaji said the spinning mill, which was established in 1965 at Aralvaimozhi, had 22,800 spindles that produced 20sK, 40sK, 2/17 NF, 2/30s, 2/40a, 40sPC and 2/40 PC yarn varieties now. A total of 244 workers, including 62 permanent employees, were employed at the mill.The daily production capacity of the spinning mill, yarn quality and the functioning of its machinery were reviewed. The department officials were asked about the daily work and activities taking place in the mill, he added.Referring to the demand to make temporary workers permanent, he said it would be brought to the attention of the Chief Minister and appropriate action would be taken.Mr. Balaji further pointed out that steps were being taken to improve the production quality at the spinning mill and make it profitable. “We also met the Union Textile Minister regarding GST exemption for handloom products and other demands. At that time, we requested cancellation of 5% GST on handloom products. The Central Government has said the matter will be discussed and appropriate action will be taken.”He said he also inspected Vadasery Periyarasingan Street Primary Handloom Weavers Cooperative Production and Sales Society. It operated with 382 looms, producing cotton dhoti, sarees, bedsheets and other handloom products. “In the last financial year 2025-2026, textiles worth ₹2.60 crore were produced, while products worth ₹3.04 crore were sold and the society is operating with continuous profit.”The Minister also inspected the beekeepers’ cooperative society at Marthandam.Mr. Balaji said the society had a total of 1,433 members who were engaged in beekeeping and assured them that all measures would be taken to increase production and sales of Marthandam honey. Published - August 02, 2026 08:13 pm IST