The State’s first ever Tussar silk yarn production centre at Choudwar in Cuttack district was inaugurated on Friday by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena. Set up at a cost of Rs 75 lakh, the centre is capable of producing 200 kg of silk yarn worth Rs 94 lakh annually. The production capacity of the unit will be gradually increased to meet increasing demand. The centre will ensure local availability of Tussar silk yarn, create local employment and reduce the silk production cost, said Saxena. The silk weavers in State were totally dependent on States like West Bengal, Jharkhand and Karnataka for silk yarn, which increased the cost of the silk fabric.