Talks with dyeing unit owners to continue

CHENNAI: The government seems to be making progress with its intention to reopen dyeing units along the Noyyal River. Government representatives are set to hold a second round of talks on Friday with owners of dyeing units that were shut after a Madras High Court order.“There are a number of problems in the textile sector, but the closure of dyeing units is the core issue for now,” said BV Ramana, minister for Handlooms and Textiles. The talks are the latest step in a series of initiatives from the Jayalalithaa government to resolve problems with effluent levels and leading up to the eventual reopening of the shut units.The government had held a meeting with the owners of the units on May 20, a day after chief minister J Jayalalithaa consulted top ministers and officials on the issue. The new regime has also held talks with all stakeholders in the issue at sessions held in the Thiruppur region.The government’s efforts at resolving the issue were only among the impending changes in the textile sector, said Ramana. “Our chief minister has asked for a number of changes and steps for this sector. The aim is to resolve the core issue and also relieve weavers and handloom workers from the loss of livelihood they have suffered in recent years,” said the minister.The minister’s comments came after his visit to the headquarters of Co-Optex to discuss the various issues dogging the sector with top officials and stakeholders.