Karnataka government rules out closure of KSIC factory, construction of stadium

The State authorities connected Monday (March 9, 2026) informed the Legislative Assembly that the Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) Filature Factory astatine T. Narasipura successful the Mysuru district, popularly known arsenic the Mysore Silk Factory, volition not beryllium closed and the plan to conception a stadium connected its premises has been shelved.

Minister for Sericulture and Animal Husbandry K. Venkatesh informed that plans are being made to boost accumulation to conscionable the rising request for the premium silk brand, Mysore Silk. The 114-year-old mill earned a nett net of ₹101.15 crore successful 2024–25. It produced 3,10,667 saris during the past 3 years (2022–23 to 2024–25) and sold 3,09,659 saris, signaling much than 99% sales.

Replying to a question from T.S. Srivathsa (BJP), the Minister said the mill earned nett profits of ₹46.75 crore, ₹73.40 crore, and ₹101.15 crore successful 2022–23, 2023–24, and 2024–25, respectively.

Historic place

The Minister's clarification came amid a proposal to conception a sports stadium connected the mill land. The factory, established successful 1912 by Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, supplies earthy silk to weaving units and supports the accumulation of the celebrated Mysore Silk saris. The Minister said immoderate officials provided incorrect accusation and misguided the employees and the nationalist astir the closure of the unit.

Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar had earlier met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and submitted a plea seeking extortion of the factory.

The Minister admitted that women often basal successful queues for much than 3 hours extracurricular KSIC showrooms to bargain saris. Buyers tin besides spot orders done the KSIL online portal, though the scope of choices is limited, helium said. Mr Srivathsa underlined the request to span the demand-supply gap.

Additional production

To conscionable the increasing demand, an further 7,500 metres of cloth is being produced each period utilizing other looms astatine the T. Narasipura portion and Channapatna, the Minister said.

Intervening successful the discussion, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok, who visited the mill past week, said immoderate employees were reportedly being paid ₹3,000 per month, which helium described arsenic negligible compared to the minimum wages fixed by the government.

Mr. Ashok suggested that the authorities place alternate onshore successful the territory for constructing the stadium and instrumentality steps to support some the mill onshore and the GI-tagged Mysore Silk saris, known for their distinctive sheen and texture.

Suresh Gowda (BJP) urged the authorities to name an businesslike managing manager to the corp to assistance conscionable the rising request for saris.

Sources told The Hindu that “a almighty Minister” had been attempting to unopen down the parent mill to acceptable up a backstage silk portion adjacent Bengaluru.

‘Victory for workers’

Mr. Ashok, successful a station connected X, said, “The Congress authorities has yet been forced to retreat its bizarre connection to conception a stadium connected the five-acre onshore of the historical KSIC Filature Factory astatine T. Narasipura. It is simply a wide triumph for the workers and for each those who stood up to support KSIC Mysore Silk — a arrogant awesome of Karnataka’s heritage.”

Around 200 employees of the KSIC parent unit had been staging a protest opposing the projected acquisition of onshore for a sports stadium.