Sikkim Carpet Industry under coronavirus threat

The Self Help Groups(SHGs) have been issued advisory for not buying raw material for carpets, blankets and any other craft from Pujab's Ludhiana and Assam where the wool is sourced from China and other countries.

"We buy wool from Panipat in Punjab and Bikaner, Rajasthan for carpet weaving and blankets. Sikkim depends on wool from other states. The advisory has been issued,  particularly to SHGs, as a precaution in view of the coronavirus  outbreak and will remain effective till further notice," said Karma Samten Bhutia, Joint Director  of Handicrafts and  Handloom under Sikkim government's Department of Commerce & Industries.

However, Director of Handicrafts Bineeta Thapa said the suppliers in Panipat have said they have abundant stock of wool which had been procured before the coronavirus outbreak.

"The traders in Panipat have claimed that the wool in question has been sourced from Netherlands before the spread of coronavirus infection. We will have to check if their claims are true," she said.

Thapa said she will go to Panipat to ensure the wool is safe for use and sourced originally from Netherlands.

"We will buy the stock only after a certificate authenticating their claims is given to us," said Bhutia.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
As the Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom runs two-year training courses for carpet and blanket weaving, the Handicraft Directorate requires 70-80 kg of wool per month. And, no wool would mean no Carpets! 

Major government and semi-government units who use wool include Khadi & Village Industries and District Industry for Training of Rural artisans.

In addition to these, some Self Help Groups also are involved in Weaving.

In absence of wool, they are also likely to face lean period.

Countries across the globe are taking measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 or coronavirus disease. The virus emerged in Wuhan, the capital city of China's Hubei province in late December and the latest figures show it has infected more than 63,000 people and has killed some 1,300 patients, mostly in China. The WHO has classified COVID-19 a global health threat.

The disease is said to be transmitted from human to human according to data collected by WHO in China.

Awareness about the disease is being generated across the state as Sikkim is a state bordering China.

So far, no cases have been reported in the State.