Lok Sabha Question No. 1379 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Promotion of Silk
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA

## PROMOTION OF SILK

## 1379.   SHRI KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

(a) the  details  of  the  Government  funded  projects  for  promotion  and  sale  of  silk  in  the country;

(b) the  details  of  projects  to  promote  production  and  sales  of  the  local  silk  varieties  Eri, Muga and Pat of Assam;

(c) whether the Union Government is aware that the local Muga Silk Industry is affected by the imported Tassar silk of China; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the measures being taken by the Union Government in this regard?

## उत्तर

## ( )

## ANSWER वस्त्र मंरी

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a): The Ministry, through the Central Silk Board (CSB) implements the 'Integrated Scheme for the  Development of Silk Industry' a Central Sector  Scheme(CSS) consisting of four  components  viz.  (i)  Research  &  Development,  Training,  Transfer  of  Technology  and I.T.  Initiatives  (ii)  Seed  Organizations  (iii)  Coordination  and  Market  Development  and  (iv) Quality Certification Systems (QCS)/Export Brand Promotion and Technology Up-gradation. All  scheme  focus  on  intervention  in  critical  areas  such  as  Feed,  Seed,  Breed,  Post  Cocoon Technology and Capacity Building for visible impact on quality and productivity improvement in  sericulture.  An  amount  of  Rs.160.50  Cr.  has  been  allocated  during  2016-17  for  the implementation of the Scheme.

Under  'North  East  Region  Textile  Promotion  Scheme'  (NERTPS),  24  sericulture projects  are  being  implemented  at  a  total  cost  of  Rs.819.19  crore  with  Central  share  of Rs.690.00 crore for implementation from 2014-15 to 2018-19. Central Silk Board has set up Raw Material Banks (RMBs) for tasar and muga which operate floor price system to procure and supply cocoons at steady prices to reelers and also to protect the interest of rearers from exploitation by middlemen. The seed, cocoon and raw silk prices are regularly updated in the website of CSB to facilitate the farmers to take marketing related decisions. The cocoon and raw silk prices are sent to the farmers and other needy persons through SMS.

CSB has established a Vanya Silk Market Promotion Cell (VSMPC) with the objective of development  of  marketable  designs  and  products  through  Research  and  Development  and diversification of products with blends, Brand Promotion of Vanya silk, Organizing exhibitions and sponsoring manufacturers to participate in domestic and overseas marketing events.

(b): The  Ministry  is  implementing  the  'North  East  Region  Textile  Promotion  Scheme' (NERTPS) for Sericulture development in NE States, including Assam. The broad objective of this Scheme is to develop and  modernize the textile  sector in the North East with the

Government support in terms of raw material, seed banks, machinery, common facility centres, skill development, design and marketing support etc. The details of the projects in Assam are as follows:-

Integrated  Sericulture  Development  Project  (ISDP):    The  project  period  is  from  2014-15  to 2016-17 with a total outlay of Rs.66.67 crore, which includes Central share of Rs.47.42 crore. The project is being implemented in Jonai, Naburar, Boko and Narayanpur area of Assam. The estimated project output is 200MT of raw silk during the project period and 95 MT raw silk per annum thereafter.

Intensive Bivoltine Sericulture Development Project (IBSDP): The project period is 2015-16 to 2017-18 with a total outlay of Rs.29.55 crore, which includes Central share of Rs.26.28 crore. The project is being implemented in Darrang district of Assam.  The estimated project output is 30 MT of raw silk during the project period and 20 MT raw silk per annum thereafter.

The Central Silk Board monitors the project implementation and extend all cooperation to the State Sericulture Department, which is the sole implementing agency for the above said projects. The project has provision for creating marketing facility/infrastructure for production and sale of raw silk production.

(c) & (d): No. Muga and Tasar are different varieties of silk. Muga silk is considered to be superior to tasar silk. The present price range of Muga silk is Rs.12,500 to Rs.15,500 per kg, whereas  the  tasar  silk  price  ranges  between  Rs.4,000  to  Rs.4,500  per  kg  in  the  domestic market. The total import of Vanya silk has reduced during 2015-16 compared to 2014-15. On the other hand, the production of muga silk has increased during 2015-16 (166 MT) compared to 2014-15 (158 MT).

|         | Import of Raw silk during the last 2 years and CFY (in MTs)   | Import of Raw silk during the last 2 years and CFY (in MTs)   | Import of Raw silk during the last 2 years and CFY (in MTs)   |
|---------|---------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| Year    | Vanya (mainly Tasar)                                          | Total Qnty. of silk imported                                  | Muga silk production (MT)                                     |
| 2014-15 | 650                                                           | 3489                                                          | 158                                                           |
| 2015-16 | 426                                                           | 3529                                                          | 166                                                           |
| 2016-17 | 262*                                                          | 2022*                                                         | 122**                                                         |

Note: *-Figures pertaining to April-September 2016; **- Figures pertaining to April-December 2016

The following measures have been taken by the Government to improve the Muga silk production:

-  In  order  to  discourage  imports  of  silk  goods,  Basic  customs  duty  of  10%  is  levied  by  the Government of India on imports of silk items such as raw silk, silk yarn and silk fabrics.
-  Central Silk Board is implementing NERTP Scheme with the support of State Governments to increase silk production including Muga in North East States.
-  CSB has set up a 'Vanya Silk Market Promotion Cell (VSMPC)' for development of new silk products and providing linkages for sale of silk products more particularly to the Vanya Silk products.

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