Sualkuchi Silk under threat from Evil Twin; Industry Wants GI to be Safe

STAFF REPORTER GUWAHATI:

After gamosa, the prestigious silk of Sualkuchi is under the threat of its evil twin – inferior silk from other States. Such lookalike and inferior silk products from other States are here to beat the indigenous Assam silk in the price line.

Sualkuchi silk has its own trade mark since May 2018. However, the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 dealt a blow to the industry. After the lockdown, the industry is picking up but yet to gain the required momentum. It has not been able to produce silk as per the demands.

Talking this advantage, a few silk traders from outside the State have made inroads into the State silk market. They are trying to get a good grip of the market with their products which apparently look like that of Sualkuchi. The Assamese gamosa has all along been facing the problem of its evil twin (power loom gamosas that can be sold at lower prices) from other States.

Talking to The Sentinel, Dr. Nihar Ranjan Kalita, Head of the Department of Economics of SMBS College and secretary of Sualkuchi Tat Sipini Unnayan Samiti, said, "Around 5,000 of the 15,000 weavers who were working in Sualkuchi have left the industry after the lockdown. They got no financial assistance. A large number of migrant weavers have also left their jobs.

"Sualkuchi has around 200 shops in the wholesale market from where business worth Rs 100 crore takes place annually. Even as the lockdown-shattered industry is picking up, it is yet to attain the lost pace. October to April is our peak season. With the fall in the number of traders and weavers, we've not been able to produce silk in accordance with the demand.

"Gamosa, mekhela-chador, shawl etc of Sualkuchi are high demand during Bihu, marriage ceremonies etc.

"Though we've our own trade mark, due to lack of GI (geographical indication) we can't do anything against silk that comes to the State market from outside. The government should ensure us GI to save the industry."

He said that hike in prices of yarns has also affected the industry. According to him, the price of taser is Rs 7,000 per kg kg, Rs 6,500 for per kg of mulberry, Rs 15,000 for per kg of muga, etc. "In most of the cases, we've to procure yarns from other States. The ARTFED's Yarn Bank at Sualkuchi sells only three kg per trader at 20 per cent discount. Rest of the yarn is bought from the open market," he said.

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