Assam to stop 'Gamocha' import

"We have stopped importing gamochas from outside including Chennai and Bangalore and this has been approved by an act by the government cabinet sub committee," cultural affairs minister Pranati Phukan told PTI here today.

Weavers in the state produced nearly two lakh gamochas annually with state grant of Rs one crore but cheap imports from Chennai and Bamgalore have hampered the sale of local products.

The state's handloom sector employs more than 25 lakh weavers and allied workers and is second only to the agricultural sector in terms of providing employment, she said.

"Under the Chief Minister's Assam Vikash Yojana we are providing quality yarn to weavers at a cost of Rs eight crore annually which are helping the local youths," she said.

The minister said in a bid to help silk farmers, a cocoon bank as been set up at Boko near here where farmers can deposit their cocoons.

The influential All Assam Students Union (AASU) have criticised the import of gamochas from outside the state.