Mysuru: Strongly opposing the plans of Tourism and Sericulture Minister S.R. Mahesh’s plan to sell Mysuru Silk Sarees at discounted price of Rs.4,500, the KSIC (Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation) staff staged a protest in front of silk-weaving Factory here on Thursday. Claiming that the Silk Factory will face serene loss if silk sarees were sold at subsidised rates, the employees said that the Government should take the responsibility if the KSIC unit runs into loss. Pointing out that the Government has decided to sell silk sarees worth Rs.12,400 at Rs.5,000 and sarees worth Rs.9,040 at Rs.4,500, they said it was not advisable to sell the sarees at discounted rates when the prices of raw materials and manufacturing cost have risen sharply in recent times. Urging the Government to drop the proposal, the employees threatened to stage an indefinite stir if the Government went ahead with its initiative of offering silk sarees at Rs.4,500. AITUC, CITU, SC/ST Employees Welfare Association Office-bearers led the protest.
