Cultural programmes planned, cine stars to participate; Rs. 5 crore sanctioned for modernisation of Mysore Silk weaving factory
Mysuru :
The Karnataka State Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) in city has also planned to celebrate 100 years of its service to the people in a big way in August, similar to the Centenary celebrations of the University of Mysore and the City Central Library.
Addressing a press conference at Pathrakartara Bhavan in city yesterday, KSIC Chairman D. Basavaraju said that Chief Minister Siddharamaiah has given his consent to prepare the schedule for the KSIC’s Centenary celebrations in Mysuru in August. The KSIC has completed 103 years of its inception.
KSIC’s delayed Centenary event will be a memorable one as the Chief Minister has agreed to inaugurate and planning has begun, said Basavaraj and added that to mark the celebrations, efforts will be made to offer Mysore Silk saris at cut-price.
Replying to questions, as to why the Centenary celebrations of KSIC were not held in 2012, Basavaraju said the celebrations were postponed due to professional commitments.
A Centenary Bhavan had been built at the factory premises on Mananwadi Road in city but the centenary had not been publicly celebrated, he added.
Basavaraju pointed out that the 100 years of Mysore Silk will be showcased along with cultural programmes and other events and added that cinema stars will also be invited for the Centenary celebrations of KSIC.
The Silk factory in Mysuru is one of the oldest and historical silk manufacturing units in the country. It was founded by the Wadiyars in 1912 for manufacturing silk fabrics for the royal family and ornamental fabrics for armed forces.
Rs. 5 crore sanctioned for modernisation of Mysore Silk weaving factory
Stating that the State Government through Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) has sanctioned Rs. 5 crore for modernisation of the Silk weaving factory in Mysuru, the KSIC Chairman said: “new technology will be adopted to manufacture better quality silk sarees for the customers. About 645 people, including management staff and workers have been employed at the Silk weaving factory and 254 people have been hired on contract basis.”
Basavaraju said that fresh recruitments have not been made at the factory since 21 years despite shortage of workers even after retirement of several employees and added that steps were being initiated to recruit employees.
KSIC, in its first phase, has installed modern machines at a cost of Rs. 68 lakh at the thread spinning unit in T. Narasipur, said Basavaraju. The spunk silk factory at Channapatna will be restored at a cost of Rs. 9.26 crore and the unit is expected to produce low-cost silk sarees priced at Rs. 4,000 to cater to middle class and economically weaker sections, he added.
The KSIC Chairman pointed out that KSIC had a record transaction of Rs. 146.42 crore in 2014-15 — an increase of Rs. 20 crore when compared to Rs. 127.15 crore in 2013-14. The profit earned during the current fiscal is Rs. 25 crore and Rs. 1.10 crore has already been deposited to the Government as its share dividend, he added.
As there is more demand for setting up of Mysore Silk retail units in the State, 6 units in Mysuru, 7 in Bengaluru, one each in Channapatna, Chennai, Hyderabad and Vijayawada have been functioning and from these 17 units 72,000 silk sarees were sold during the last year, said Basavaraju. New retail units will be set up by the end of this year at Davanagere, Hubballi, Dharwad, Tumakuru, Belagavi and Kalaburgi, he added.
KSIC officers N.H. Thimappa, Krishnappa and Suresh were present at the press conference.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Thursday – July 16th, 2015