The district administration of Tamil Nadu to support the livelihood of the handloom weaver has urged power loom owners to abstain from producing notified items in the reserved list or face action.

Collector V. Dakshinamoorthy said that the centre had enforced the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985 and reserved 11 textile articles that must only be produced in handlooms.

The products includes sari, dhoti, towel, gamcha and angvastram, lungi, bedsheet, bedcover, jamakkalam durry, dress material, barrack blankets, kamblies, shawl, muffler etc.

For effectively implementing and monitoring, a Handloom Enforcement Wing has been formed in each district with its office functioning in Tiruchengode.

Power loom owners under the act shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term up to six months or fine up to Rs. 5,000 if found producing any listed items in their units.