The Hindu Business Line : Silk body plans new label

Ms Sowmya, Carnatic music singer, receiving the first saree with the `Silk Mark' from Mr Nalli Kuppuswamy of Nalli Silks, in Chennai on Tuesday. Also seen are Mr A. Elangovan, Tamil Nadu Handlooms Secretary, and Mr P. Joy Oommen (extreme right), Chairman, Silk Mark Organisation of India. — Bijoy Ghosh

Chennai , Sept. 21

THE Silk Mark Organisation of India (SMOI), a registered society sponsored by the Textiles Ministry, plans to introduce another label called `Vanya' for the wild or non-mulberry silk that is gaining in popularity both in the domestic and international markets, according to Mr Joy Oommen, Member-Secretary, Central Silk Board and Chairman, SMOI. The SMOI launched the `Silk Mark' label here after it was rolled out in Bangalore and Mumbai. Silk Mark is a label symbolising pure silk, which protects the interests of consumers and manufacturers. Retailers and manufacturers who are confident that the products are of pure natural silk can affix the Silk Mark label on their products.

Manufacturers of twisted silk yarn, raw silk and grey fabrics can also use this label so that manufacturers of silk products can source their raw materials from them. Anyone who wishes to become a bona fide user of Silk Mark should first become a member of SMOI.

The organisation authorises the use of Silk Mark on their products to a select list of its authorised users who have established credentials as manufacturers, retailers and exporters of genuine silk.

Mr Oommen said that there has been an increase in the production of bivoltine or hybrid silk yarn, which has improved the quality of silk. India produces nearly 15,000 tonnes of mulberry silk and 1,500 tonnes of non-mulberry silk (Tussar, Eri and Muga) annually. There has been an increase of about 20 per cent in silk production during this fiscal, he said.

Exports from India amounted to about Rs 2,500 crore this year. India, being the world's largest consumer of silk, also imports nearly 10,000 tonnes from China.

More Stories on : Silk | Standards & Benchmarks | Tamil Nadu

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