Mir Farhat
SRINAGAR, Sept 27: In a relief to handloom weavers of the State, Union Textiles Minister Dr K S Rao today announced loan waiver till March 2010 for the handloom weavers of the State.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function at Congress party headquarters here, Rao said under newly launched scheme, the Revival Reform and Restructuring (RRR), loans taken by the handloom weavers of the State till 2010, which included the principal amount and interest, had been waived off.
Rao said that the decision was taken to revive the handicrafts of the state which would especially benefit the handloom weavers of the old Srinagar city.
The Union Textiles Minister also said he would consider proposals for the development of the handicraft sector so that certain projects can be undertaken as early as possible.
Echoing Rao, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Saif-ud-Din Soz said the decision would benefit thousands of handloom weavers of the State.
The PCC president also pointed out that the Centre had also approved grant of five crore rupees to boost the ‘Khatamband’ art form in the Valley.
“But the the Forest Department hampered the utilization of the Central funds as it didn’t provide timber to the ‘Khatamband’ craftsmen,” Soz said.
Later, while interacting with the artisans, handloom weavers and traders at SKICC, the Minister said that special assistance would be provided for marketing of handloom and handicraft items besides design and product development. He said marketing is essential for survival of artisans, adding that Central Government will organize an international trade fair in order to provide an opportunity to the artisans and traders of the State to sell their products in the national and international markets, in addition special stall would be provided to the artisans of Jammu and Kashmir at Varanasi, Noida and Delhi Haat where mega buyer-seller events are organized.
He said artisans of Jammu and Kashmir will be provided stalls for selling their products in different trade fairs organized by the Textile Ministry across the country.
Responding to the demands of the artisans, Mr. Rao assured that 10 percent subsidy on Pashmina yarn would be provided, adding that a raw material bank will be established in the State so that artisans can get raw material round the year. He said handloom and silk sectors would be given focused attention for their promotion besides promoting traditional handicrafts of the State.
The Minister said that his main purpose to visit Jammu and Kashmir State is to get first had appraisal of the problems of handicraft artisans and handloom weavers so that their grievances are redressal.
Commissioner Secretary I&C, Farooq Ahmed Factoo, Development Commissioner for Handloom, Balbinder Kumar, Additional Development Commissioner for Handicraft, Navraj Goyal and a large number of handloom weavers and handicraft artisans, representatives of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce were present on this occasion.
Later, Dr Rao accompanied by Development Commissioner Handloom, Government of India visited the National Handloom Expo-2013 at Kashmir Haat and inspected the stalls which have been let out for sale and display of handloom products by various entrepreneurs.
The Minister interacted with the weavers and praised their workmanship. He assured all possible help from Government of India for the promotion of handloom sector in the State for which there is lot of potential. He encouraged all participants and praised the efforts of the Department of Handloom Development for organising such a national level event despite various hardships.
The Minister directed the State Handloom authorities to put up the ideas for upliftment of the Handloom sector viz-a-viz weavers of Jammu and Kashmir State.
The Director Handloom Development, Jammu and Kashmir apprised the Minister and Development Commissioner Handloom about the activities of the event.
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