SILK WEAVERS INTEREST SHALL BE PROTECTED :
BASANAGOUDA PATIL
The Minister of State for Textiles,
Shri Basanagouda R. Patil (Yatnal) met a 31 member delegation
of Karnataka State Weavers Central Committee, here today. The
delegation appraised him of the problems and difficulties the
silk weaving industry is currently facing in the State.
Shri Patil patiently listened the
demands of the representatives of silk weavers and reelers and
assured them that he will take all possible steps to protect their
interests. He told them that if the Karnataka Government forwards
any specific proposal or project to the Centre, he would look
into it. He also told that the Central Government is working out
a joint scheme with State governments for the benefit of weavers.
He assured the delegation that he
will try to bring forward sectoral reforms in powerloom sector
to bring in more efficiency and higher turnover. He told them
that there is a proposal for raising the import duty to 44.04%
in the Finance Ministry and is being followed up by the Ministry.
The Minister told them that Indian
silk must raise itself to the international standards in quality
and cost with high competitiveness. The delegation in its memorandum
had requested to continue to allow the import of raw silk yarn
under Open General License and custom duty should not be increased.
