Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 16: Minister for Industries and Commerce, S. S. Slathia has called for developing technology based carpet industry in the State with focus on export oriented production in line with market demand.
Speaking at the cheque distribution function under Artisan Credit Card Scheme at Bagh-i-Ali Mardan Khan in downtown city, Slathia said development of professionally qualified and trained human resources was imperative to restore glory of the State’s centuries old carpet industry.
The function was organized by the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology Srinagar (IICT) in coordination of Directorate of Handicrafts.
Slathia urged for providing user friendly modern carpet looms besides research based training and knowledge to the artisans so that optimum potential of the carpet industry is exploited. He said in a bid to enhance production of good quality carpets, the Development Commissioner (Handicraft), Union Ministry of Textile has earmarked funds to the tune of Rs. 32 crore for providing 8000 modern carpet looms under mega carpet cluster project to the weavers free of cost.
He said during next 5 years plan, maximum traditional carpet looms will be replaced with modern looms. He said that the State Government is committed to provide marketing support to the artisans to curtail exploitation of middle men. He said Government will bear the burden of interest on loans to the artisans under Artisans Credit Card Scheme adding that all resources with the mobilized to come up to the expectations of the handicraft artisans.
Mr. Slathia also urged the need for using locally produced high quality Mulbery silk as raw material for hand knotted silk carpets instead of spun silk yarn being imported from outside the State.
Mr. Slathia also called for stringent action against unscrupulous traders who sell fake handicrafts on the name of Kashmir brand, adding that soon the State will have “Registration of Kashmiri Hand Knotted Silk Carpets under Geographical Indication Act to provide legal protection and safeguard against use of registered Geographical Indication by others.
The Director IICT, Zubair Ahmed said with the application of Carpet Design Software (CDS) technology about 552 carpet and 100 Kani Shawl designs have been developed in the digital form. He said a design bank for carpet craft in the digital format has been created where under 280 old traditional carpet designs have been digitilized.
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