Government forms state-level panel for Assam weavers' grievances

The government has constituted a state-level committee to look into the grievances of weavers in Assam, Minister of State for Textiles Panabaaka Lakshmi said Monday.

A meeting was held recently between officials of Assam handlooms and textile department and National Handloom Development Corporation to look into the grievances of weavers and investigate into the allegations raised by them in terms of supply of silk yarn to various depot operating agencies, she said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Asked whether the government proposes to bring legislation to ensure that trade in local products from outside Assam is barred, she said: �"There is no proposal to restrict or bar trade in handloom products from outside Assam.�"

To protect the local products, the government of India has promulgated Geographical Indications of Goods (GIG) (Registration and Protection) act 1999. The Act provides legal protection to the geographical indications of goods etc and prevents unauthorised use of these by others, she added.