The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : ‘Strict steps needed to curb fake silk sale’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 26, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

‘Strict steps needed to curb fake silk sale’

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: Silk Mark Organisation of India (SMOI) needs more teeth to act against those who market fake silks in violation of the norms of Silk Mark, the quality assurance tag, said H. Hanumanthappa, chairman of the Central Silk Board.

Speaking at a function to launch SMOI’s web page, silkmarkindia.com, he said consumer courts can also contribute to controlling sales of fake silks.

Giving an overview of the silk industry, Mr. Hanumanthappa said that there was a gap between demand and supply of silk in India, which needed to be bridged. There was a proposal to spend Rs. 902 crore on the silk industry in the 11th Plan, he added. New technology had helped improve productivity, with Tamil Nadu achieving a record in production, he added.

K.S. Menon, chief executive, SMOI, said that the organisation planned to strengthen the Silk Mark brand through festivals, awareness campaigns, improving labs for “zari” testing and strengthening the surveillance mechanism on the fake silk market.

A study had showed that sale of silks had gone up by 10 per cent after the introduction of Silk Mark, introduced four years ago, Mr. Menon said.

‘Eco Silk’

SMOI is conducting a study to launch “Eco Silk”, an environment-friendly brand. It is likely to hit the market by the end of the year and is expected to boost silk exports to the West.

SMOI is also in the process of creating a separate mark for Moga silk, the most expensive variety of silk India produced in Assam. This will be promoted as a premium brand of silk.

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