Karnataka, feels the reduction in import duty on cheap Chinese raw silk would badly affect the indigenous Indian manufacture of raw silk.The budget for 2015-16 has reduced the import duty on Chinese raw silk from 15 per cent to 10 per cent.

With prices falling steeply in the raw silk and cocoon markets, the state wants the Centre to increase customs duty to 30 per cent or at least restore it to 15 per cent.

Varanasi and Karnataka are facing a similar problem due to China silk. The famed Mysuru silk comes from Karnataka. About six lakh weavers in the prime minister’s constituency of Varanasi, who use raw Mysuru silk -called Bengaluru silk there -to weave the famous Benaras handloom silk sari.

A non-governmental organisation in Varanasi, the State Alliance for Rights, Empowerment and Livelihood, which facilitated the GI tag for the Benaras silk sari, is also fighting the battle against Chinese raw silk and fabric flooding the market.

Benaras silk sari and Mysuru raw silk are heritage products and have gained international recognition and repute.

Karnataka is hoping that prime minister Modi will listen to the need of his constituents and intervene to help the Karnataka sericulturists.