Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that Himachali shawls should have patent right as these hand woven shawls had special identity and it should be ensured that these products were not manufactured on the pattern of Himachali shawls by other power loom industries in the country.
Addressing the members of Bhuttico Weaver Cooperative Society at Mohal in Kullu today, he said that it had been observed that many power loom industries were copying the pattern of Himachali shawls especially Kullu and Kinnauri shawls and were selling them on high rates. He added that Himachali shawls had great demand not only in the country but also abroad and steps should be taken to patent these products.
The Chief Minister also stressed the need to revive silk and wool industries in the State. Citing the example of Nurpur silk mill, he said Nurpur silk sari and pashmina shawl had high demand in the country but many such handloom industries in the State despite having adequate infrastructure were idle and there was a need to revive them.
Virbhadra Singh said Bhuttico weaver’s society of Kullu was the first weaver cooperative society in the country that was formed in Himachal Pradesh in handicraft sector. The Himachal wool and silk industry which was well established in those days, needed to be given a fillip.
He said that small and medium scale industries were contributing a lot in economy of the people of the State by providing direct and indirect employment. He added that small scale industries were contributing up to 40 percent in export of various products. He said that information technology also had a significant role to play in this sector.
Earlier, Satya Prakash Thakur, Chairman, Bhuttico Weaver Cooperative Society, welcomed and honoured the Chief Minister. He raised the problems being faced by the weaver society with Chief Minsiter.
Ravi Thakur, MLA, Tek Chand Dogra, Chairman, SC & ST Welfare Board, Rakesh Kanwar, Deputy Commissioner and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.
