SUALKUCHI, Dec 16 � The people of Sualkuchi, whose only avenue of livelihood is handlooms, have expressed concern over the alleged indifferent attitude of the State Government towards checking the skyrocketing prices of mulberry and tasar silk, which have come as a blow to the weavers and master weavers of the silk village.
In a public meeting organised by the Pub Sualkuchi Juba Samaj on Tuesday at Kumarpara, the speakers criticised the Government for �neglecting� the problems of the handloom industry, which has now become a burning issue for the weavers and master weavers of the village. They said in the wake of rise in prices of mulberry yarns at Bangalore, some unscrupulous silk traders of Guwahati and Sualkuchi have hoarded silk yarns and are selling these at high rates. As the authorities concerned have remained silent on the issue, these hoarders have resorted to increasing the prices of silk yarns every alternate day and thus making huge profits on their products.
The speakers have expressed apprehension that if this trend of rise in prices of silk continues, the only avenue of livelihood of the people of Asia�s largest silk village would be in jeopardy. Some speakers said the people of Sualkuchi are preserving the cultural heritage without the patronage of the Government. Rather the officials of the Handloom and Textiles department and the DRDA, in the name of development, proposed different schemes and secured funds from the Central Government for their own interests. The common people of Sualkuchi, except the cooperative societies, have not benefited by these schemes, they said. The speakers criticised the people�s representatives for their negligence and indifference over this critical issue.
The meeting witnessed heated exchanges among some speakers on the issue of inviting Akhil Gogoi, secretary, Asam Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, to Sualkuchi to lead the people in launching an agitational programme on the issue of hike in silk yarn prices. But later, the meeting, which was chaired by Ganesh Kalita, former president of Pachim Sualkuchi Gaon Panchayat, ended peacefully.
In the meeting, some resolutions were passed unanimously. The meeting resolved to send memorandums to the President of India, the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, State Handloom Minister, Central Handloom Minister, MPs and all the MLAs of Assam. The meeting also resolved to launch a dharna programme in front of the office of the BDO, Sualkuchi.
