Kamal Ghorui
BENGALURU: Karnataka govt has suspended online sales of Mysore silk saris after surging orders outstripped supply of the GI-tagged weave made with pure mulberry silk, gold zari and silver threads. State-owned Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation will prioritise limited stocks for buyers visiting its exclusive outlets.Sericulture minister K Venkatesh made the announcement in the assembly on Monday, attributing the spike in demand to the high quality of the saris. He said online sales would resume once production stabilises.KSIC launched online sales to make the saris accessible to customers outside the state. It been producing the famed weave since 1912 and currently turns out 300–400 saris a day. Its collective output over the past three years stood at 3.1 lakh saris.
Venkatesh said the popularity of the saris was evident during special discount sales. “Since saris with defects remain unsold, we offer 25% to 50% discounts. During these special sales, people queue up from 3am,” he said.KSIC sources premium cocoons mostly from govt markets in Sidlaghatta, Ramanagara and Kollegal in the state. “There is huge competition in procuring high-quality cocoons from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and other states,” Venkatesh said, adding efforts were being made to secure quality supply.To meet growing demand, the govt has installed 30 e-jacquard looms, increasing production by about 7,500 metres a month. KSIC’s finances have also improved, with profit rising to Rs 101 crore in 2024-25 from Rs 73 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 46 crore in 2022-23.
