Guwahati, Feb 28: Ahead of Bohag Bihu, the Assam government has decided to conduct a special drive against the sale of traditional attire of the state such as gamosa, mekhela sador and aronai which are manufactured in power looms.
The special drive, which will be conducted from March 1 to April 14, is aimed at safeguarding the traditional weavers of the state who have been affected by the sale of machine-made traditional garments, mainly procured from outside the state.
Addressing mediapersons here on Tuesday, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that such a ban was a part of a larger effort to raise awareness about the traditional weaving industry of Assam and discourage the sale and procurement of machine-made products.
“Drives have in the past been conducted against the sale of such traditional items manufactured in power looms. Now, I have asked the DCs and SPs to intensify the campaign against the sale of such power loom-made items during March 1 and April 14 and also get in touch with the textile merchants’ association urging it to refrain from procuring such items from outside the state before they get seized here,” Sarma said.
