Maran says he'll spin policy to rescue silk weavers

Speaking at a meeting organised by Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily, he said the controversial Handloom Reservation Act would be looked into and added that he would consider giving import-related concessions to silk weavers. A provision under the Act does not allow powerlooms to manufacture 100 per cent silk coloured fabrics and saris.

Moily, speaking to journalists, said Maran assured him that by the end of January 2010 the Textile Ministry would come up with a policy to import and distribute raw silk through the co-operative societies.

The delegation also comprises of former union minister Ananth Kumar (BJP) and Congress Lok Sabha members H Vishwanath and Dhruvnarayan. Scores of weavers belonging to the Karnataka Weavers’ Federation, Karnataka State Nekara Sangha and Doddaballapura Weavers’ Association were part of the delegation. Moily added Maran has assured that he would consider the weavers’ request of importing silk yarn and selling it through co-operatives.

“The weavers, specially small and middle level, who were earlier handloom owners but shifted to power loom, are finding it difficult to import silk from China due to the international level agreements...But the Textile Minister responded much more than the expectation of the delegation and assured that he is working on that issue. By the end of January 2010, his ministry would come up with a policy to import and distribute raw silk,” Moily said.