Lucknow MSMEs don’t feel threat from Chinese Chikan

Lucknow, June 22 (KNN) Made in China although has infringed upon the territories of micro and small entrepreneurs of India by making even the most Indian thing like vermillion, but the weavers of the century old Chikankari work feel they do not have any threat from China’s Chikan work.

Chikankari is not just another kind of work done on clothes, but it is very much a part of Lucknowi tradition which has been employing thousand of weavers in the city.

A recent survey pointed that Chinese chikan has taken over Lucknowi Chikan as it produces the same product at 30% cheaper rates and at a faster speed.

As only five per cent of total production is exported while the rest is sold in the domestic market, lack of awareness together with dearth of skilled manpower is affecting the growth of chikankari, the survey pointed.

Differing on this, C P Garg, Owner of Chhangamal Ram Saran Garg Agencies, Lucknow, states the industry is still doing as good as ever carrying forward the tradition of Lucknow.

“The tradition of chikankari has been continuing from a very long time. The demand of this product has grown by 10 times as compared to the earlier times,” he said.

“Luknow chikankari is famous because the entire work is done by hand. Approximately 15 lakh people are employed in this industry, covering a diameter of 50 miles from Lucknow,” she said.

This product is made after a long process continuing for minimum 15 days. The price varies from Rs. 250 to Rs 3000 per metre. An average price is Rs 1000-1500. There are different types of labourers for different activities like cutting the cloth, dying the cloth, making designs of chikan, etc. As many as 25-30 employees are employed in a small unit,” the entrepreneur said.

“The marginal profit is 15%-20% per piece. There is no specific season for this industry. We are only restricted to the domestic area of Lucknow,” he continued.

Another entrepreneur Champak Dwivedi, owner of Lal Bihari Tandon& Sons, Lucknow, also shares similar view.

He said, “Chikankari is popular right from the time of Nawabs. There are various types of stitches in chikankari like murri work, bakhiya work, pepchi work, rajpatti work, kil-kangan work, etc.”

The industry, however, feels that the Government in partnership with private sector needs to encourage integrated enterprise development by providing supporting services such as local centres for skill training, product adaptation, vocational training and entrepreneurship development. (KNN/FA)