A specific quality of Kashmir willow was identified long back for making cricket bats. As such the industry of bat manufacturing got localized to a particular area in Pulwama district. Industrial units in Charsoo, Reshipora and Dogripora in District Pulwama had gained fame for producing quality bats and these made good sale. But in September floods these industrial units suffered severe loss of equipment and the quality of timber from which bats were manufactured. This has caused loss to the industry and suffering to those concerned with it. These small scale industrialists have not been given any relief by way of compensation for the losses they have suffered. The industry must revive and the Government must come forward with solid and concrete proposals for its revival. The banks have to play crucial role in providing them soft loans to be repaid over a long period of time till they are able to stand on their legs. The industry had been providing bread to a number of people and they have been reduced to penury. We strongly recommend that the Government considers their case for relief with a sense of urgency. These industries are the result of self-employment but nobody knew that they would meet the crisis created by natural calamity. They have to be treated with compassion and deep sense of humanism. Not only the concerned small scale industrialists, even the farmers growing special willow trees, nurturing these properly and making them compatible with the manufacture of quality bat, all stages need to be taken into account and support extended.
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