Last month, the handloom and textiles department was directed by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to carry out a drive against ‘Gamusas’ and ‘Mekhela Sadors’ manufactured using power looms, which have posed a serious threat to the handloom industry here, from February to April. ‘Gamusa’ and ‘Mekhela Sador’ are traditional Assamese clothes.
Members of the Federation Of Gujarat Weaver’s Welfare Association (FOGWWA) and textile traders participated in a meeting to discuss the issues related to the Mekhela Sadors on Monday. A segment of textile weavers and traders who deal in Mekhela Sadors – which is a traditional form of saree made using cotton and silk – were concerned over the restrictions in Assam. An original, handmade Mekhela Sador costs over Rs 8,000 but one made in Surat on a power loom from polyester ranges between Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000.
“At present, there is a loss of about Rs 500 cr to the city’s textile business due to the virtual ban. Stock of Rs 150 cr worth of sarees is ready, Rs 150 cr worth of yarn and material worth Rs 200 cr is under production,” said Ashok Jirawala, President of FOGWWA.
FOGWWA handed over a memorandum to the union minister of state for textile Darshana Jardosh and Navsari MP C R Paatil explaining their demands.
Textile weavers and traders in Surat have decided to make representations to elected leaders and demand a lift of the ban in Assam on the sale of power loom manufactures mekhela chadors from Surat. Business of over Rs 100 cr per month is expected to be affected due to the ban, according to industry insiders.
