Speaking to presspersons here on Thursday, the Association president C Narayana Swamy said an all-party delegation which is leaving for New Delhi on Monday to seek special status for Hyderabad-Karnataka under Article 371 of the Constitution, should also appeal to the Finance Minister to retain the previous import duty.
"Just to please a few silk exporters, the Centre has taken such a decision which will have an adverse effect on silk growers in the State. At this time, all political parties need to get together to fight for the rights of silk growers," he said. If the Centre does not reconsider its decision on import duty, a massive protest will be staged, he added.