India is the second largest producer of silk after China and the largest consumer of silk. About 80 percent of the total silk production is consumed locally. To meet the growing demand, steps have been taken to increase the total silk production capacity which is expected to reach about 38,500 tonnes by 2020 from about 34,500 tonnes now, Puneet Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Textiles, said at the inauguration of Silk Mark Expo 2017 held in Chennai.

Various measures have been taken to improve the quality in the silk sector. The intent is to promote Silk Mark, which certifies 100 percent pure silk. The aim is to make the Silk Mark a popular benchmark like BIS.

About 80 lakh people are dependent on this segment and about 70 percent of them are women. The sari industry consumes 75 percent of domestic production of silk, which is primarily a cottage industry, spread over 59,000 villages across 25 States.

KM Hanumantharayappa, Chairman, Central Silk Board, urged the people to look for silk mark label while buying silk saris and fabrics. Brand Ambassador for Silk Mark actress Vidya Balan said that the Silk Mark label guarantees value for money and it is the only assurance of pure silk.

The Silk Mark Expo 2017 is being be held at Kalaivanar Arangam which began on October 6 and run till October 12. The cooperative societies of Tamil Nadu are taking part in good numbers. There are around 60 stalls from various clusters across 15 States participating at the expo.