Ban on powerloom gamosas in State

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, April 6: Commissioner of Taxes Ravi Kota has issued a circular prohibiting trading of imported powerloom gamosas, warning traders that violation of the order may attract pelty, including imprisonment.

“As per some reports received, the traditiol gamochas, reserved item under Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985, may possibly be imported into the State after manufacturing on powerlooms in large scale from other States, especially during the ensuing Rongali Bihu,” the circular stated.

Under the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985, the gamosa is a reserved article for exclusive production by handlooms.

The official order expressed apprehension that some traders were trying to dupe consumers by selling silk items brought from other States into Assam in the me of the traditiol muga and eri silk-based cloths and garments such as mekhela chadar and muga saree, etc.

The order directed all the traders in the State dealing in gamosas to give a declaration that they do not deal with any gamosas other than those produced by handlooms.

The gamosas are exempted from Assam VAT Act to promote the handloom sector.

All dealers in the State buying and selling traditiol muga and eri silk-based cloths and garments such as mekhela chadar and muga saree etc., have been directed to issue a bill/payment receipt/sale memo to the buyers, clearly mentioning “Origil Muga/Eri Silk of Assam” or “Silk of Varasi / Mysore” as applicable, so that customers can make a conscious choice to buy the products.

The Commissioner of Taxes said random checks will be conducted by the taxation department to verify if the dealers are complying with the directions.