The centre has denied that there is a move to amend the provisions under the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985, in order to give advantages to power looms.
In a statement, the government has clarified that it had received some requests for review of items reserved for production by handlooms. After a due examination of the matter, it has decided not to make any change in the Reservation Order issued under the 1985 Act, thereby protecting the interests of handloom weavers.
On receipt of the requests, the matter was referred to a committee under the chairmanship of Development Commissioner (Handlooms). The committee was formed with the mandate of looking into all relevant issues on the subject and giving its considered views, without hurting the interests of handloom weavers.
The textiles ministry decided to maintain status quo after examining the views of the committee as well as those of state governments.
It was decided to put an end to speculations after a section of the press reported that the centre was going to amend the provisions under the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985, in order to give advantages to power looms.