J&K government takes steps for encouraging handicraft

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the state government has taken several steps to ensure the welfare of the artisans in the valley and also to protect dying handicraft.

"My government took various new initiatives to encourage youth to find careers in the high potential handicraft sector," he said addressing artisans at Dastkaar (Artisan) Mela here.

He said his government obtained Geographical Indicators for six handicraft -- Pashmina, Kani Shawl, Papier-machie, Walnut Wood Carving, Crewel Chain Stitch Embroidery and Khatamband - to protect these world famous arts from counterfeiting.

This has given new dimension to the production of these handicraft in the state and catapulted its marketability across the world, he said.

The Chief Minister said that the initiatives of his government to provide Artisans Credit Cards to the artisans of the state on the analogy of Kissan Credit Cards would give immunity to the artisans of getting exploited by the middlemen and money lenders.

"Now they are no more required to get finance from the middlemen and agents for manufacturing of their products, they can use the credit card facility for this purpose," he said.

"We have also provided modern carpet looms to the carpet weavers to facilitate their working. Some 8,000 looms have been distributed among the beneficiaries so far free of cost and many more are in the process of distribution," he added.

The minister also referred to the help provided by the Craft Development Institute and Carpet Technology Institute to the artisans for the growth and development of handicraft.

While underlining the importance of preserving the heritage and age old handicraft designs, he said that new designs with heritage bearing should be introduced and products of day to day use manufactured to attract the present day consumer towards these items.

He said computer covers, mobile phone covers and other such marketable items could be manufactured giving them heritage handicraft touch of world famous Kashmir handicraft and art.

The Chief Minister said according to the data of Industries Department more than 3.75 lakh artisans are earning their livelihood from handicraft work.

"This is a big chunk of population and requires equal attention in the development policy of the state. We have underlined this aspect fully and measures have been taken to ameliorate the lot of people associated with handicraft."

Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected various stalls set up by the artisans to showcase their products. Stalls exhibited items of some 20 handicraft of the valley, including carpets, shawls, paper-machie and chain stitch crewel.

The Chief Minister also gave away awards to the budding entrepreneurs who have launched their ventures under SKEWPY and achieved turnover between Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore during one year of their functioning.