(a) whether the Government is taking any steps to improve the condition of silk traders in district Bhagalpur (Bihar);
(b) if so, the steps taken in this regard and if not the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has any plan to promote silk industry on the lines of Khadi and Village Industries and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government has released funds in this regard and if so, the quantum of funds sanctioned and spent so far?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES
(SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)
(a) & (b): Government of India through Central Silk Board(CSB) has taken following steps to promote silk industry in the country including Bihar state:
i. Central Schemes viz; “Silk Samagra” is being implemented to promote silk industry in the country.
ii. Strengthened the Research & Development system to improve cocoon production, productivity and silkworm hybrids.
iii. To produce import substitute Bivoltine silk in the country, R&D has been focused to evolve productive Bivoltine hybrids.
iv. Cold Storage facilities and Bivoltine grainages have been strengthened.
v. For production of 3A-4A grade raw Silk from the Bivoltine cocoons, Automatic Reeling Machine (ARM) Units have been established in the country.
vi. Buniyad Reeling Machines (BRM) are being provided to women thigh reelers by State of Bihar with support from CSB.
vii. Collaborative research programmes have been taken up with Bulgaria, Australia, Japan, Sweden and Uzbekistan for enhancing the silk production.
viii. “Indian Silk?? is being promoted as a brand in the global market through generic promotion & with the ?Silk Mark Tag”.
ix. The basic customs duty of 15% is levied on raw silk import to make the domestic silk weaving & export segment stronger and competitive.
(c) & (d): During last four years (2017-18 to 2020-21), financial assistance of Rs. 665.96 Lakhs has been provided to Bihar state under Silk Samagra scheme towards implementation of beneficiary oriented critical field level interventions.
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