Handloom industry on verge of extinction in N dists
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Our Correspondent
SIRAJGANJ, Aug 13: The handloom industries in Sirajganj and Pabna districts are now in dire straits, sources said.
Handloom production has gained popularity in the two northern districts. But the industry is facing threat of extinction due to lack of patronage, shortage of funds and price like of its necessary inputs.
There are nearly 35,000 weaver families in 18 upazilas including Ullapara, Shahjadpur, Belkuchi, Sirajganj Sadar, Sujanagar and Bera of the two districts.
According to an official estimate, about 0.1 million people are directly dependent on the industry.
Smuggled Indian clothes, sarees and bed-sheets are causing serious damage to the industry. Many weavers have been forced to leave their ancestral profession, said Rejwan Hossain of Kalidasganti village in Sadar Upazila of the district. He added that the handloom industry of the district had a glorious past. Now the industry is facing scores of problems including financial patronage.
On the other hand, prices of handloom products including sari, napkin and bed-sheets have gone down. Prices of raw materials, spare parts, yarn, wood and iron rods have shot up.
Source said due to lack of government patronage to save the industry, some weavers are switching to other occupations as they cannot run their business. As a result, finding no alternative they are closing down their business.
The weavers' community has urged the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to save the handloom industry and protect weavers' families.
SIRAJGANJ, Aug 13: The handloom industries in Sirajganj and Pabna districts are now in dire straits, sources said.
Handloom production has gained popularity in the two northern districts. But the industry is facing threat of extinction due to lack of patronage, shortage of funds and price like of its necessary inputs.
There are nearly 35,000 weaver families in 18 upazilas including Ullapara, Shahjadpur, Belkuchi, Sirajganj Sadar, Sujanagar and Bera of the two districts.
According to an official estimate, about 0.1 million people are directly dependent on the industry.
Smuggled Indian clothes, sarees and bed-sheets are causing serious damage to the industry. Many weavers have been forced to leave their ancestral profession, said Rejwan Hossain of Kalidasganti village in Sadar Upazila of the district. He added that the handloom industry of the district had a glorious past. Now the industry is facing scores of problems including financial patronage.
On the other hand, prices of handloom products including sari, napkin and bed-sheets have gone down. Prices of raw materials, spare parts, yarn, wood and iron rods have shot up.
Source said due to lack of government patronage to save the industry, some weavers are switching to other occupations as they cannot run their business. As a result, finding no alternative they are closing down their business.
The weavers' community has urged the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to save the handloom industry and protect weavers' families.