Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): Sarees from Varanasi have made a place for themselves in the world, owing to their look and designs.
Coronavirus which originated from China has adversely affected the textile industry in Varanasi. The ban imposed by the Government on the import of silk and raw thread till 10th of February is considered to be the major reason for this.
Due to this ban, the weavers of the textile industry are not in a position to complete their orders.
Ban on import of silk thread
The wedding season has commenced and the demand for Banarasi sarees are high. The weavers and others associated with the industry were expecting to make good profit in view of the wedding orders. But, coronavirus has sent shock waves to this industry.
Weavers say that due to the ban imposed by the Government on the import of 1,500 tonnes of silk thread, they do not have sufficient material to weave sarees. This is adversely affecting the power looms. The threat of more than 40,000 weaver families being unemployed in the future looms large.
Weavers worried of coronavirus
Businessmen of this industry said that due to the ongoing wedding season they are getting a good number of orders for sarees. But, the weavers are not able to complete the orders due to lack of raw materials. Weavers tell that Rolex seat and raw thread have been imported from China since long.
This is largely used in the saree industry of Varanasi, but after the import ban, the material has stopped coming from China.
Coronavirus has caused a loss of 200 crore
People associated with the industry stated that till date around 1,000 crore industry has suffered losses of over 200 crore rupees. The total loss in the near future is completely unpredictable.
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