Coir village coming up at Sivaganga

The Union Cabinet has approved a Rs 243-crore scheme for extending sops and concessions to coconut farmers and traders for rejuvenating the traditional coir industry, informed Finance Minister P Chidambaram, while addressing a function at Sivaganga.

"The scheme would generate large-scale employment opportunities as well as increase export activities," he said.

Laying the foundation for the first-ever exclusive coir village at Singampunari, an assembly segments in Sivaganga, he pointed out that the UPA was keen on promoting industrial activities and traditional craftsmanship in rural areas.

Explaining the details, AC Jose, chairman, Coir Board, said the Singampunari village would promote 20 units of spinners and 30 household weaving units. Each spinning unit would be given a loan of Rs 2 lakh and weaving units a total sum of Rs 5 lakh.

The investment in the village would be Rs 1.95 crore of which Rs 82 lakh would come as government grant, Rs 95 lakh through investments. The scheme would generate employment opportunities for about 350 spinners.