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The society was established in 1957 and was originally known as Model Weavers
Coop. Society. It was later converted as the Pondicherry State Weavers�
Cooperative Society Ltd., No.P.57 and is now popularly called as, “PONTEX�
The handloom tradition in Pondicherry is kept alive by a small class of devoted
handloom weavers who weave the handloom fabrics. This timeless art is marketed
through PONTEX 20 showrooms and today is a 20 crores society. PONTEX is
one of the few profitable Apex Weavers Coop. Society in the country today.
Behind the success there are 3,800 handloom weavers, 120 dedicated staff, 13
Primary Weavers Coop. Societies and the support of the Government of
Puducherry.
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The prime objective of the Apex society is to ensure continuous employment to
the weavers in the coop. fold by arranging timely and regular supply of yarn.
Further, the entire handloom fabrics produced by the weavers of the Primary
Weavers Co-operative Societies is procured by the Apex Society and marketed
through its various distribution channels.
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Pontex procures quality yarn from leading spinning mills in India.
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The grey yarn is dyed in various colours in the Coop Dye-house “Texpro� and is
issued to the Primary Weavers Coop.Societies
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Lungies, Bedsheets, Pillow Covers, Towels, Terry Towels, Napkins, Kerchieves,
Dhothies, Furnishing and Sarees are woven by Handloom weavers in the Primary
Weavers Cooperative Societies according to the production plan of the Apex
society.
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Quality control is ensured by Pontex at every stage of the production process.
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The final product is as per the Bureau of Indian standard specification.
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The Apex society procures the entire handloom fabrics produced by the weavers
of the Primary Weavers Coop.Society.
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These fabrics are marketed under the brand name � PONTEX� through the society’s
20 retail outlets located in Tamil Nadu, Andra Pradesh, Kerala and West Bengal.
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Pontex participates in various Exhibitions, National Expos sponsored by the
State and Central Government.
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Pontex conducts Special Sales Campaigns in various Townships, College campus,
and industrial towns during the festival seasons.
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Pontex markets fine cotton lungies in bulk to merchant exporters who export the
variety to South East Asian Countries.
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Pontex also undertakes the production of Free Distribution Scheme fabric
(Cotton Sarees, Blouse bits, Lungies and Towels) for supply to Government
Departments.
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Pontex supplies handloom fabrics viz Bedsheets, Pillow Covers, Towels to
Hospitals, Railways, Schools etc on Wholesale.
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Lump sum grant of Rs.10,000/- to the family members of a weaver who deceased
while in service.
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Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana Insurance for Rs.60,000/-
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Assistance for Family Planning Operation Rs.200/-
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Free Dhothies and Sarees to weaver-members (once in a year)
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Comprehensive Medical facilities extended to the weaver-members through E.S.I
and Rs.100/- for out shed weavers.
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Assistance for purchase of Housing site (Rs.10,000/- subsidy)
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Production Incentive to the weaver-members at 25% on the previous year wages
earned subject to a maximum of Rs.5,000/- each.
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Education Allowance :
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I to VIII-Std., .. Rs. 200/-
VIII to XII-Std., Rs. 400/-
For College Rs.1,000/-
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per student per academic year |
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Superannuation and Family Pension Schemes
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Pension of Rs.500/- per month to such of those weaver-members who earned
average wage of Rs.100/- per month for the last three years before retirement.
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Pension of Rs.1,000/- per month to such of whose weaver-members who earned
average wage of Rs.300/- per month for the last three years before retirement.
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Rainy season subsidy of Rs.1,500/- for each member per year.
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12% of wages earned by a member per year along with a matching contribution by
the Government is deposited in a ‘Thrift Fund� for the welfare of the weavers.
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