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Tamil Nadu Powerloom Workers Demand 50% Solar Subsidy in 2026 Budget

Powerloom workers from Coimbatore are urging the Union Government to announce a 50% subsidy for installing solar panels in the upcoming Budget 2026. Weaver Bhoopathi highlights the sector's distress due to inadequate income, lack of wage revision, and soaring electricity and raw material costs. The demand, which has been submitted to the Finance Minister, aims to provide long-term relief and sustain the industry for another 15 years. The Budget Session 2026 is scheduled to begin on January 28.

Key Points: Powerloom Workers Seek 50% Solar Subsidy in Union Budget 2026

  • 5+ lakh power looms in Tamil Nadu
  • Workers in distress, shifting jobs
  • Demand 50% subsidy for solar panels
  • High electricity costs crippling sector
  • Hope pinned on Union Budget 2026
2 min read

Tamil Nadu: Powerloom workers seek 50 per cent solar subsidy in Union Budget 2026

Coimbatore weavers urge govt for 50% solar panel subsidy in Budget 2026 to sustain industry amid rising power costs and low profits.

"If the Union Government provides a 50 per cent subsidy... the power loom industry can be sustained for at least another 15 years - Bhoopathi"

Coimbatore, January 21

Ahead of the Union Budget 2026, Bhoopathi, a power loom weaver from Coimbatore, has highlighted the growing distress faced by workers in the powerloom sector and urged the Union Government to announce concrete measures in the upcoming Union Budget to sustain the industry.

Speaking on the expectations from the upcoming budget, Bhoopathi said, "More than five lakh power looms are functioning in Tamil Nadu, while in India, the number exceeds more than twenty-five lakhs. In particular, two lakh power looms in Tiruppur and Coimbatore districts are operated on a wage-based system. Due to inadequate income over the past few years, power loom workers have been forced into a distress situation, abandoning their traditional occupation and shifting to other jobs."

He pointed out that the lack of wage revision, frequent increases in electricity tariffs, and rising raw material costs have severely impacted the sector. "The absence of proper wage revision, frequent hikes in electricity tariffs, and rising costs of raw materials have resulted in negligible or no profits for those engaged in the sector," he added.

Bhoopathi said power loom associations have demanded a minimum 50 per cent subsidy for installing solar power panels in power loom units in the forthcoming Union Budget. "Power loom sheds consume electricity up to 12 kilowatts, and installing solar panels of this capacity would cost more than Rs 5 lakh. Power loom operators are not in a position to bear such high expenses on their own," he said.

According to him, the weavers believe that solar energy support could provide long-term relief to the sector. "If the Union Government provides a 50 per cent subsidy and facilitates the installation of solar panels, the power loom industry can be sustained for at least another 15 years," Bhoopathi said, adding that the demand had already been submitted to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last month.

At present, the Tamil Nadu government provides 1,000 units of free electricity once every two months to ordinary power looms. The sector is now hopeful that the Union Budget will include a provision for installing solar power panels at subsidised rates.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju has announced that President Droupadi Murmu has approved the Budget Session 2026, which will begin on January 28 and continue until April 2.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While I support the move to solar for sustainability, a 50% subsidy seems very high. The budget has to balance many sectors. Perhaps a phased subsidy or low-interest loan scheme would be more fiscally responsible and still provide the needed support.
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Priya S
My uncle used to run a powerloom in Erode. He had to shut down 3 years back because of electricity costs. It's heartbreaking to see traditional weavers leaving their craft. Solar power is the perfect solution - good for the planet and good for our artisans. Hope FM Sitharaman listens!
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Rohit P
Free electricity every two months is already a big help from the state govt. Now if the Centre adds a solar subsidy, it can be a game-changer. This is how cooperative federalism should work. Jai Hind!
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Karthik V
The demand makes sense. 5 lakhs is too much for a small unit owner. But the government must ensure transparency in the subsidy process. We don't want only the big players to benefit. The scheme should reach the actual small weaver.
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Meera T
This is about preserving our heritage as much as it is about economics. Coimbatore and Tiruppur textiles are famous worldwide. Supporting them with green energy is an investment in India's cultural and economic future. 🤞 for a positive announcement.

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