Chennai, August 18
PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Tuesday urged the Tamil Nadu government to reverse its reported decision to close 10 Co-optex showrooms, saying the move could further endanger the livelihoods of thousands of handloom weavers.
In a post on X, Anbumani said the proposed closures included outlets in Cuddalore, Salem, Vellore and Tirunelveli, besides showrooms in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Some stores had already been closed, while sales had been suspended at others, he claimed.
Procurement had also reportedly been stopped at the remaining outlets, indicating that they could cease operations within the next few weeks. The decision was said to have been taken as part of a downsizing exercise following a decline in sales and revenue.
Opposing the move, Anbumani said Co-optex showrooms could not be viewed merely as commercial establishments because they served as a vital market for products made by handloom weavers.
Co-optex, the commercial arm of the Tamil Nadu Handloom Weavers’ Cooperative Society, was established in 1935 to market handloom products and strengthen the economic position of weavers. Its outlets were once widely patronised by government employees and middle- and lower-income families.
Anbumani blamed years of neglect and policies favouring private textile companies for the organisation’s present financial difficulties. Co-optex had around 200 outlets in 2015-16, including 133 in Tamil Nadu and 67 outside the State and overseas. The number had fallen to about 150 by 2025-26, he said.
Warning that the institution could face closure before its centenary in 2035, Anbumani pointed to the ruling TVK’s election promise to establish “Vetri Loom” stores in major cities and create an e-commerce platform for Tamil Nadu handloom products.
He said shutting existing outlets contradicted that commitment and urged the government to retain the 10 showrooms, expand the retail network and revive Co-optex through modern marketing, stronger e-commerce operations and improved sales strategies.
