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INDUSTRIES |
Old Time Industries : In 1648, Karaikal was famous for the special
quality guingams (ie. white cloth with small red stripes). These guingams were
brought to Pondicherry from where they were exported to Manila. Hence the name
Guingam Manila.
Some interesting details about the old time industries in Karaikal are available
to us from a report prepared by Cordier, a naval Captain, in reply to a detailed
questionnaire received from the Ministere de la Marine. According to this report
there were 26 pottery units in Karaikal engaged in the manufacture of utensils,
flower pots, water jugs etc. Some of the units also produced tiles in
their kilns. In the year, 1823, as many as 100 brick kilns and 71 brick
makers were counted. The same report revealed the existence of 35 oil mills
manufacturing coconut oil, gingili oil, besides producing oil from elipe (bassia
longifolia) and laurel seeds. Of the three soap units, two were located in
Karaikal and the other in Tirumalarajanpatinam.
The three coir manufacturers in Karaikal engaged lascars or coolies according to
the type of coir to be manufactured. They used six different types of
looms for the purpose. The work was carried out generally between January
and October every year.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN KARAIKAL REGION :
Having high potential industrial
and buisiness area and having 6 LARGE SCALE, 1 MEDIUM SCALE and 677 SMALL SCALE Industrial units in Karaikal region.
In cooperative sector one Spinning Mill has been established. In other sectors, one Gas Power Plant and the ONGC has setup a main office and Central godown at Neravy, Karaikal. In private, SPIC, GOTHARI-SUGARS, JOHNSON TILES, etc. factories are functioning.
NEW PROPOSALS BY GOVERMENT: At Polagam an INDUSTRIAL GROWTH CENTRE by PIPDIC is to be set up with an Electronic Industrial Park and an Information Technology Park. Proposals for establishing a Free Trade Zone adjacent to the Growth Centre. Central/State sales and Income Tax Holidays for 5 yeas. Un-Interrupted power supply. SUBSIDY on Power, Cost of Pollution Control Mechinieries/Equipments, etc. SINGLE WINDOW system for all department works. LOANS and Aids, etc.
ADMINISTRATION: One Assistant Director is the head of office for the
Industries department at Karaikal.