GUWAHATI: After the Assam government's ban on the sale of mekhela sador, gamosa, aronai, and other traditionally machine made clothes from March 1 to April 14 in the lead-up to Rongali Bihu, textile dealers from Surat are facing a loss of approximately Rs 100 crore.
The traders worry that the unusual prohibition will harm their business because they had supplies ready for the forthcoming holiday season.
The textile traders of Surat city will suffer a significant loss in business if such a prohibition is strictly enforced. Mekhela sador stocks worth about Rs 100 crore are currently prepared in the godowns of Surat dealers.
While many are lying in the Assamese retail showrooms, some are in transit on their way to Assam. The goods will be returned to Surat without payment if they are not sold.
Between 600 and 700 crore rupees are made each year from the sale of mekhela sadors, according to Sawarmal Budiya, a senior member of SAKET Group and a former leader of the Federation of Surat Textile Merchants Association (FOSTTA).
On March 5, after receiving a complaint about the Assam government's action from the Saket group, an organisation of textile traders from Surat, state BJP president CR Paatil promised to take action in the matter.
The traders wanted the Assam government to grant them some time to clear the inventories, so they made the request.
The traders have also promised not to produce any more mekhela sadors after the existing supply is gone.
"We will request that the Assam Chief Minister and the elected Assam MP to give the traders some time to clear the mekhela sador stockpiles that the Surat traders had prepared," added Paatil.
The protection of regional farmers, according to Assam government spokesperson Pijush Hazarika, is the state's top priority.
"Protecting the interests of our local producers and the women who work on handlooms is our top responsibility. We'll see whether the Gujarati government says or does anything. We cannot afford to have these powerloom operators produce not only mekhela sador but also our traditional gamosa in such a way that the quality and properties are damaged," he said.
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