A weaver at work at a loom in Bhagalpur. Picture by Amit Kumar

Bhagalpur, July 28: The National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC) has given its green light to Bhagalpur Regional Handloom Weavers’ Co-ordination Association (BRHWCA) for opening a yarn bank here.

Ishwar B. Patil, the chief general manager of NHDC, who visited Bhagalpur on July 26, told reporters that the weavers in Bhagalpur could now purchase the yarns at the same rates as in other places in India. He said the proposed yarn bank would start functioning with the help of BRHWCA, the local body of weavers. Patil, who arrived in Bhagalpur from Lucknow to hold a meeting with the BRHWCA, said the proposed bank would be a milestone for the weavers who face low-production and many related problems.

Ibrar Ansari, the president of BRHWCA, said the proposed bank would function from Pankhatoli in Bhagalpur.

“Our aim is to provide raw material to weavers at reasonable rates. Because of the absence of any yarn bank here, the open markets are still enjoying the monopoly and earning huge profits. The market’s monopoly has directly affected the poor weavers here,” Patil said.

He also stressed the need of involvement of the weavers with All India Weavers’ Society (AIWS), a national-level body of weavers, so that they too can avail of the opportunity to establish a national-level market for their products.

Patil expressed serious concern over the poor condition of the weavers’ community in Bhagalpur. “Bhagalpur was once known in the world for its best quality silk production. However, the weavers associated with the industry here are now living in mess,” he said.

He added that a weaver has to face immense difficulty right from purchasing raw material to manufacturing silk items. “Post-manufacturing, a weaver has to face difficulties in selling his product in the right market,” Patil said.

He advocated tagging the weavers with the clusters (a group of weavers) so that one could get loan of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh to purchase the raw material. He assured to supply sufficient yarn to Bhagalpur. He also suggested the weavers to register with the Delhi-based AIWS so that they got good price for their products.

Pankaj Sinha, an assistant officer of NHDC, said the body would urge the state government to arrange better fund facilities to the clusters of the weavers so that they could get loans easily.