Special scheme for weavers soon: CM

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Nov.19: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that the Government will take up a special scheme for overall development of weaving industry in the State. This was assured by the Chief Minister to a delegation of Sualkuchi Tat Silpi Sanstha that met him at his official residence recently.

Gogoi said that the scheme to be taken up by the Handloom & Textiles Department will incorporate new design and techniques to make the traditiol handloom products more colourful and attractive. The Chief Minister said that yarn is being distributed to the weavers so that they can become strong economically.

The Chief Minister asked the delegation to work on a cluster basis for development of the industry and urged them to adopt other means of livelihood to enhance their income.

The Chief Minister assured the delegation that the State Government would not allow the age-old weaving industry of Sualkuchi to die down and would continue to provide support and assistance so that it becomes vibrant and resilient. In this connection, Gogoi told the delegation that he would ask Minister for Handloom & Textiles, Bismita Gogoi to visit Sualkuchi to take stock of the situation there and to redress the grievances of the weavers who are facing problems.

CM refutes allegation

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Gogoi strongly refuted allegation in a section of the Press that he had asked the delegation to take recourse to dairy farming instead of weaving. Terming the allegation as totally false and baseless, Gogoi said that he had told the delegation that the Government would take up a new scheme for the overall development of weavers, including that of Sualkuchi. Gogoi said that the Government is mulling to set up a silk yarn bank at Sualkuchi to ensure adequate supply of various silk yarns to weavers.

Gogoi said that a local MLA did not play a pro-active role for development of Sualkuchi weaving industry for which there is proliferation of cheap Barasi silk and that he is instrumental in damaging the age-old weaving industry by helping vested circles to set up other industries.