A probe has been launched into the sale of fake Sambalpuri sarees allegedly by a Rajasthan-based firm following a complaint lodged by the state handlooms and textiles department, police said today.
The complaint was lodged by Assistant Director of Textiles Upendra Debata with the Town police station at Bargarh against the firm on Friday, said Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Suresh Nayak.
Samples of fake and original sarees submitted by the textiles department are being sent to the geographical indication office in Chennai and also authorities concerned in Bhubaneswar for examination, the SDPO said adding appropriate steps would be taken after the reports were obtained.
Stating that fake sarees are available even in the markets of western Odisha, an official said weavers of Sambalpur region had been badly affected due to replication of their design and its production in powerloom.
The Centre had earlier been informed about the matter and a team of officials of the union government had visited Bargarh to look into the matter. They had been handed over samples of fake sarees and certain documents, he said.
A special team has also been formed to ascertain the channel through which the fake printed sarees are being pushed into Odisha market, he said.
Meanwhile, weavers of original Sambalpuri Bandha sarees have said they are facing huge loss following fake printed sarees flooding the market. Different organisatinos including Bargarh Wesvers' Association have been demanding steps to prevent such replication.
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