STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: In a bid to bring respite to the handloom sector of the State, the Assam Apex Weavers and Artisans Cooperative Federation ltd. (ARTFED) has started to purchase Pat and Toss silk clothes from the pooer weavers of Sualkuchi who have been affected by the corona pandemic.
The handloom industry has been hit severely due to the lockdown. The weavers are in distress as they are not being able to sell their produce due to unavailability of the middlemen.
Since May 30, the ARTFED has started to purchase the stocks from the weavers. These clothes will be sold in 45 ARTFED outlets across the State.
"During the lockdown, the yarn banks were closed for which the weavers were not being able to operate their businesses. The weavers can buy purchase thread from these yarn banks at 20 per cent subsidized rate. Now theses yarn banks have been reopened," said ARTFED Managing Director Mukul Chandra Deka. "We have suggested a concept to the Handloom and Textile Department to establish a godown where clothes purchased from the State weavers will be kept," said Deka.