Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today laid the foundation for modernization of Silk Factory, Raj Bagh and Bemina Woolen Mills. The cumulative cost of modernization projects for these two historic spinning mills of the State comes out to be Rs. 35 crore and it is expected to benefit more than 70, 000 weaving and rearing unit holders.At the historic Raj Bagh Silk Factory, the Chief Minister went round various units and took a briefing on the modernization project. She was informed that Rs. 23.54 crore worth modernization project is set to pace up the silk industry in the Kashmir Valley benefiting some 20, 000 cocoon growers and other ancillary workers.On the completion of the project, which has been targeted for two years, the silk production at the factory is proposed to increase from present 50 thousand metres per year to five lakh metres per year. With this also, most of the cocoon produced locally would be bought here, thereby stabilizing the cocoon prices and also raising the demand for more cocoon production in the State.Mehbooba Mufti visited the spinning unit and also the showroom. She evinced keen interest in the products put on display, including the latest Pherans, which have been designed in consultations with the designers of National Institute of Fashion Technology. She appreciated the works and asked the management to put these items on display at the national capital, airports and other places of major interface of people.Minister for Industries & Commerce, Chander Prakash Ganga; Minister for Education, Syed Altaf Bukhari; Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar; Minister of State for Industries, Syed Farooq Andrabi; Vice Chairman, JK Industries, Gulzar Ahmad; Commissioner-Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Shailendra Kumar; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Khan and other senior officers were present on the occasion.Earlier, Mehbooba Mufti visited Woolen Mills at Bemina where she laid the foundation of a similar Rs. 11.74 crore modernization project.The Chief Minister was apprised about the silent features of modernization project which foresees a considerable growth in the production of wool yarn upto 4.50 lakh metres per year.With the execution of this modernization project, more than 50 thousand sheep rearers of the Valley are expected to benefit.The Chief Minister also went round various units of Mills.Minister for Industries & Commerce, Chander Prakash Ganga; Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar; Minister of State for Industries, Syed Farooq Andrabi; MLA, Batamaloo, Noor Muhammad; Vice Chairman, JK Industries, Gulzar Ahmad; Commissioner-Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Shailendra Kumar; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Khan and other senior officers were present on the occasion.