The Hindu : Famine hits wool production

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 30, 2003

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Other States - Rajasthan

Famine hits wool production

JAIPUR MAY 29. Four consecutive years of drought and famine have badly affected the production of wool in Rajasthan and prices of the commodity have skyrocketed to just double in the market, a top official said today.

Marino wool's rate has gone from Rs. 250 kg to Rs. 500 kg and its international export has also sharply declined from the State, Bhawani Shankar Sharma, Chairman of the State Khadi and Gramodyog Board, told a press conference here.

Bikaner district, which alone meets 40 per cent requirement of Indian wool, was the worst affected due to the famine and drought, he said

About 29,000 `katin bunkar' (weavers) were adjusted in the famine relief works, though they still work on wool weaving, but the State Government was paying 30 per cent of their wages in cash and 70 per cent as food for work under relief, he said.

Of the 173 weaving units, 100 were still sick and could not compete in the global market, he said.

He said a carpet training centre would be set up at Bikaner for which the Khadi Commission has given approval.

Despite all odds, altogether 2959 new gramodyog units were set up in the State and production worth Rs. 577 crores was achieved in the last financial year, he said.

With minimum financial assistance from the Khadi Gramodyog Commision, the State Khadi Board has sold goods worth Rs. 9.80 crores through exhibitions, he maintained. -- PTI

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Famine hits wool production