In order to promote Mulberry, Eri and Muga silk production in Assam, Government through Central Silk Board is implementing a centrally sponsored scheme viz “Catalytic Development Programme” (CDP) in collaboration with State Sericulture Department of Assam. Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to the stakeholders of silk industry through the State Sericulture Department.
The components under CDP envisage development and expansion of host plant, support for seed production, development of farm and post cocoon infrastructure, up-gradation of reeling and processing technologies in silk, enterprise development programme, support for extension and publicity etc. Rs. 10319.11 lakh Central assistance has been provided to Assam under CDP during the XI Plan period for the development of silk industry, including mulberry, eri & muga.
The Government is aware that silk handloom industry in Assam is passing through a difficult phase. The State of Assam does not produce required quantity of mulberry silk as per the demand of the consumers of the State. Mulberry silk yarn is supplied by the traders from other parts of the country, due to which consumers have to purchase yarn at higher rates from the open market.
In the State of Assam, few silk fabric traders have been doing business by producing the Assamese dress materials, particularly Mekhela-Chadar of mulberry silk at the weaving units outside the State with Assamese traditional patterns and designs. As a result, the local producers have protested for importing such hand woven silk fabrics from outside the State. To address this issue, the Government of Assam has constituted a State level Committee to look into the grievances of the weavers of handloom industry.
To increase the number of trained qualified weavers, a number of skill upgradation programmes have been implemented through various schemes like cluster projects and group approach projects under Integrated Handlooms Development Scheme. Besides, the State Government has been imparting training to the weavers through 102 Handloom Training Centres and 4 Handloom Training Institutes every year.
Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles is implementing Silk Mark scheme through the Silk Mark Organization of India for popularizing the products made of pure silk to protect the interest of consumers. Silk Mark is a quality assurance label attached to the products made of pure silk and is applicable to all the silk products made of pure silk covering all varieties of silk viz. Mulberry and Vanya (Tasar, Eri & Mugs) silks.
Under the Silk Mark Scheme, there are 177 authorized users in NE region, including Assam, who uses Silk Mark labels. Further, Muga Silk of Assam, has been registered under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999.
