KL Report
SRINAGAR
The Governor, NN Vohra Wednesday addressed Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Union Minister of State for Textiles to seek his support for the Custom Duty on imported raw silk being increased from the current 15% to 30 %. The Governor has requested the Minister to take up this extremely important matter with the Union Minister of Finance.
A Raj Bhavan spokesperson said that about 30,000 families, the majority of whom live in the rural and difficult areas of the state, are engaged in the production of raw silk which is estimated at about 1000 Mts.
He recalled that during 2011-12 when the Custom Duty on imported raw silk was reduced from 30% to 5%, it had an immediate adverse impact on the production of raw silk in J&K. Recognizing the serious adverse consequences, the Government of India revised it from 5% to 15% last year.
The Government of India has invested over Rs. 113 crore for the development of silk industry in J&K under the Catalytic Development Programme. If the raw silk industry cannot be revived it would result in the non-utilization of the extensive infrastructure for silk production established in J&K during the past years, the Spokesperson added.
