Question : PROMOTION OF SERICULTURE

(a) the number of people engaged in the silk industry at present, State-wise;

(b) the production, consumption, import and export of silk in the country during each of the last three years and the current year;

(c) whether the Union Government proposes to promote sericulture along with the promotion of local silk weaving techniques of Bhagalpur, Benaras etc.;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the plan of the Union Government to restrict import of raw silk and silk yarn to promote the domestic silk industry in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a): About 9.58 lakh families are engaged in sericulture sector in the country. The State-wise details are at Annexure-I.

(b): The production, consumption, import and export of silk in the country during each of the last three years and the current year are at Annexure-II.

(c) & (d): Yes Madam. The Government of India has adopted focused, flexible and logistic approach for promotion of sericulture alongwith promotion of local silk weaving techniques of Bhagalpur and Benaras. The following initiatives have been taken:

# Facilitation in marketing of handloom products

# Infrastructure development

# Brand promotion

# Organization of weavers in Self-Help Group

# Training and Skill Upgradation

# Infusion of new and contemporary designs

# Technology Upgradation

# Easy access to raw material at subsidized prices

# Easy credit flow at low interest rate

# Better health care and life insurance under welfare schemes.

The details in respect of cluster projects sanctioned in Bhagalpur and Varanasi are at Annexure-III.
(e): In order to safeguard the interest of the domestic raw silk and fabric producers against cheap imports from China P.R. the Government has imposed antidumping duty on raw silk and fabric. The antidumping duty imposed on import of raw silk with a reference price of US$ 37.32/kg was in force till January 2014. A fresh petition has been filed before the Directorate General of Antidumping & Allied Duties, Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India on the 8th May 2014 for imposition of antidumping duty on import of raw silk from China P.R. The antidumping duty imposed on import of silk fabric with a reference price of US$ 2.08-7.59/meter for a fabric weight ranging from 20 - 100 grams /meter will be in force till December 2016.