Guwahati: The Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday launched the "Swanirbhar Nari" programme for women weavers and emphasised the need for increased public awareness of a government ban on the use of power looms to produce certain of the state's traditional apparel items, such as "gamosa" (towel or scarf), in order to ensure the survival and growth of the handloom industry.

While the handloom business is dealing with difficulties on a number of fronts, including the crisis brought on by the worldwide pandemic, he said that the danger posed by the power-loom industry was among the most serious.

Speaking during the inauguration of the "Swanirbhar Nari" programme for women weavers, Sarma brought up a government of India law from 1985 that prohibits the use of power looms to produce six traditional textiles, including gamosa and "mehkela-sador" (traditional women's clothing), which are from Assam.

The manufacturing of these articles on power looms and their purchase by the government and the general people has continued in spite of the ban. We didn't treat the situation properly, and as a result, our handloom industry has suffered," he added.

He encouraged the Handloom department to collaborate with other governmental organisations to raise awareness of such regulations and to start taking action against violators.

The chief minister urged the department to launch a drive to appeal the public to procure only handloom-woven gamosas, mekhela sadors and other such items for Rongali Bihu, marking Assamese new year in mid-April. ''If each family buys even only two handwoven gamosas for Rongali Bihu this time, it will benefit a great number of our weavers,'' he claimed. 
In addition to encouraging public participation, he emphasised the need of effective product marketing and business initiatives in the handloom industry. Regarding the recently introduced programme, Sarma explained that under it, the government will purchase gamsas and other handloom goods from 4.8 lakh female weavers registered on an official portal through 100 procurement centres, and the payment due will be immediately withdrawn from their bank accounts.

He continued by saying that funding for the programme had already been allocated in the state budget and he pleaded with the finance minister to keep the funding in the upcoming budget as well.

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