Three women’s self-help groups launched a similar project at Vannikonenthal in Tirunelveli district after the Alangulam ready-made garment cluster in Tenkasi district proved successful.
When the Department of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises opened the ready-made garment cluster in Alangulam in April, the units—which were started by women’s self-help groups (SHGs) with 20 members in the cluster at a cost of ₹1.15 crore—signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a major garment manufacturing unit in SIDCO Industrial Estate, Valliyoor. This unit has extensive experience in the industry and exports ready-made garments to international markets.
In addition to producing ready-made clothing, the Alangulam cluster also produces “aari” (handmade and machine embroidery), patterns, and other crafts. Because this unit also handles cutting, sewing, steam ironing, and packaging, this business directly employs 80 women and indirectly employs 200 more.
A similar model has also been reproduced for the Vannikonenthal venture as this arrangement was an immediate success and guaranteed a win-win situation for the SHGs and the clothing export company.
The Department of Backward Class and Denotified Community Welfare has provided the women’s self-help groups (SHGs), each with ten members, with ₹3 lakh to establish ready-made garment manufacturing units in Vannikonenthal. The SHGs have signed contracts with reputable exporters of ready-made clothing with headquarters in Rajapalayam and Srivilliputtur.
According to the arrangement, the SHGs would stitch the dresses using cloth and high-quality threads provided by the export companies, and the final products would be sent via these companies. The SHG members would receive their pay straight into their bank accounts, contingent on the quantity and kind of clothing they embroidered.
