Ban on powerloom mekhela-chadars in offing

GUWAHATI, August 5: Beginning August 15 there will be a statewide ban on sale of mekhela-chadar produced in powerlooms as the state Government has decided to enforce the Handloom (Reservation of Articles for Protection) Act, 1985 for protection and development of handloom sector in the state. Alongwith mekhela-chadar, the ban will be also applicable on sale of powerloom produced dakhana (worn by Bodo women), danka (worn by Mising women), khamlet and phanak (Manipuri dreses) as these items are reserved for exclusive production in handloom under the Act. In pursuance of the above Act, it is intimated that any person engaged in production of these articles or class of articles in powerloom or any other looms other than handloom or store such product in violation of the Act is liable to face imprisonment up to six months or may be fined with a maximum of Rs. 5,000 per loom or may face both. In the case of continuing contravention an additional fine may be imposed which may extend up to Rs 500 per loom per day during the period in which such contravention continues after conviction for first such contravention. State Sericulture Minister, Ramendra Narayan Kalita today informed that the concerned traders dealing in these items have already been notified about the Government initiative. For effective implementation of the ban, the state Government has empowered all the Assistant Directors of Handloom and Textiles to function as the authorised officer to exercise the power conferred under the provision of the Act. The officials are authorised to search and seize all the four articles produced in powerloom if found stored or kept for sale. All the Deputy Commissioners of the state have been directed to take appropriate steps for implementation of the ban on the sale of these items. It may be mentioned that the state Government had already imposed ban on sale of powerloom produced gamochas with effect from last Bohag Bihu under the provision of the same Act. The Sericulture Minister today claimed that the ban on sale of powerloom gamocha was a success story and the efforts had paid rich dividends regarding increase in production of handloom gamocha in the state. The Minister informed that the handloom sector in the state produced about 4,87,05,600 metres of mekhela-chadar per year against the annual demand for 6,08,82,000 metres in the state. While imposing the ban on the sale of powerloom mekhela-chadar the Department has taken certain steps to boost the production so that the statewide demand for the item could be met by handloom sector weavers in the state. For the purpose 68,000 commercial weavers all over the state have been covered under 360 Project Package schemes and 48 Handloom Village Development Programmes in a phased manner. These schemes are aimed at increasing the working days of the commercial weavers from the present average of 120 days per year by providing aid for setting up work-shed so that they can continue their work during the rainy season also. The weavers will be provided margin money of Rs 2000 each to procure loan from banks in addition to supply of modern implements. The Sericulture Minister today informed that in its efforts to boost production of handloom mekhela-chadar the state Government is prepared to buy unsold items lying with weavers co-operative societies in the state.