BHB takes steps to lift limping Tangail Saree industry
Anisur Rahman Khan :
The traditional weaving industry has been suffering form various problems as the weavers are not getting raw materials in a proper time.
Apart from it, the weavers have been facing difficulties in selling their productsbecause of lack of display and sales centres, Haats and advertisement.
Considering such problems, Bangladesh Handloom Board (BHB) under the Ministry of Textile and Jute has taken initiatives to set up display and sales centres, haats and godown in weaving industry areas.
As part of the programme, the BHB authority will setup a weekly haat, display and sales centre and a godown at Pathrail in Delduar upazila under Tangail district.
“Most of our handloom weavers are poor. Even they failto showcase their products for sale because of financial constraints. So, we have decided to set up haats, display centres and godowns in different handloom industry’s areas,” Md Eusuf Ali, Chairman of Bangladesh Handloom Board (BHB) told The New Nation.
Apart from a weekly haat, a display and sales centre will be setup in Pathrail by the BHB so that consumers could buy the products from BHB’s display and sales centre, he said.
“Many weavers have to visit Karotia haat to sell their products from a long distance. Considering their sufferings, we have decided to construct a godown in Pathrail so that weavers could keep their products there, which will help them reduce the cost,” Md Eusuf Ali, also the Additional Secretary of the government said.
Replying to a query, the BHB Chairman said that at least Tk 150 crore will be needed to complete the project and the profile of the development projectwill be finalised by this month.
Though there are many leaders in Tangail but they didn’t take any initiative to popularize the Tangail Tant Saree across the country.
However, the incumbent Chairman of BHB has taken an initiative to set up haats, sales centre and godownin Pathrail.
As per BHB data, there are about 40,677 weavers and 24,448 looms in Tangail district though the numbers are virtually more than that. However, the traditional weaving industry in Tangail has suffered a major setback due to the effects of the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The owners have now closed some looms due to lack of demand for clothe and the traders think that the demand for weaving clothes will not increase in the coming Eid-ul-Azha.
Meanwhile, Karotia Haat, one of the largest saree sellers in the country has already been reopened after a long break, but the rate of selling is very low.
Besides, Bajitpur Tangail Saree Haat in Sadar Upazila and Pathrail Saree Haat in Delduar Upazila are also suffering from a lower selling.
The weaving industry is now limping toward a big collapse for various causes. Once, billions of Taka worth of saree was sold from these places every week.
According to sources with the BHB, there are 100,0206 weavers in the district and 4,151 small loom owners.
On the other hand, the workers of Tangail weaving industry are now busy day and night producing saree. Saree buyers from all over the country gather in Karotia, Bajitpur and Pathrail to buy saree.
