Yarn crunch worries pandemic-hit weavers
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 21 2021:
Though the state is known for its handloom products and skill of the artisans, the Covid-19 pandemic has put the weavers of the state in a tough situation due to unavailability of yarn.
A weaver told The People's Chronicle that weavers possessing weaver's cards are provided facility to get yarn at cheaper rate from the Manipur Handloom and Handicraft Corporation (MHHC).
However, they have been facing hardships as they have not been able to get yarn from the Corporation for the last three to four months.
They cannot go to the yarn depots due to restrictions imposed to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
Even if they contact MHHC staff, they are often told that yarn stock has not arrived yet.
They could not afford the yarn with higher price from the market, the weaver said.
As such, weavers are facing hardships during the pandemic as they are losing their source of income due to lack of raw materials (yarn) .
Though there are reports of MHHC providing subsidised yarn to weavers of some localities, many are not getting the facility, she pointed out, while urging the government and authority concerned to take up necessary measures to address the issue.
The weaver further informed that there are over 300 weavers in Thoubal district, who have weaver's cards.
Some representatives of handloom societies in the district take the responsibility of getting yarn from the yarn depot and distribute them to the weavers even during the pandemic.
It would be better if the authority takes up initiatives to ensure regular delivery of yarn to the weavers across the state, especially during the pandemic, she added.