New Delhi, May 6 (IANS): The government has decided not to make any changes in the items reserved for production by handlooms, thereby protecting the interests of handloom weavers, an official statement said here on Wednesday.

"Some requests were received for review of items reserved for production by handlooms. After due examination of the matter, the government of India has decided not to make any change in the reservation order issued under the 1985 Act, thereby protecting the interests of handloom weavers," the statement said.

On receipt of the requests, the matter was referred to a committee under the chairmanship of development commissioner (handlooms), it added.

"The committee was formed with the mandate of looking into all relevant issues on the subject and giving its considered views, without hurting the interests of handloom weavers. Two meetings of the committee were held on March 20 and April 10," it said.