Others like Mahadevappa Mallappa Kvatakundi, who sold their handlooms or abandoned them, say that working on a powerloom has at least increased their earnings. “These looms became successful and rendered a blow to handlooms that had sustained the livelihood of thousands,” he added. “On the one hand, we want to safeguard the interest of handlooms, while on the other we promote powerlooms. If power subsidy is given to powerloom to make the production viable, how can handloom product, which is already expensive compared to a powerloom product, sell? Also, an ordinary buyer cannot differentiate between a handloom and powerloom product,” the official added.

Source: The Hindu May 07, 2019 19:30 UTC