Vice Chairman for Handloom Development Corporation, Nizam-ud-Din Bhat today said that massive publicity drive and planned use of knowledge and resource for promotion of art and craft of the State can immensely help in meeting the challenge of unemployment and economic recession.
Bhat said Handicrafts is the acknowledged second largest employment generating sector in the State and presently over 4 lakh artisan families are associated with 20 different practicing crafts. Besides, the artisans’ more than 20 lakh people are getting livelihood from the sector including traders, designers and dyers of the State, he added.“The volume of exports of Handicraft goods from the State has reached to 1151.12 crore in 2016-17 as against 1059.41 crore in 2015-16 which bears proof of acceptability and goodwill of Kashmir art,” he said to stress his point.The Vice Chairman said future vision of the Government envisages more incentives and support to artisans and workers to ensure that Handicrafts retain the Kashmir identity and potential.He said Handicraft Department is establishing Kashmir Haat-II at Pampore which will entail an amount of Rs. 44.61 crore, to be provided by Union Government from World Bank funding.
Moreover, Department will undertake fresh survey of artisans and weavers for proper documentation and support and will be focusing on development of papier-machie, crewel-chain stitch and willow vickers through cluster approach and a DPR for Rs 1600 crore has been submitted in this regard, he said. Further, Government will also provide 600 modern carpet looms to weavers to add innovation to carpet industry.Bhat said while Administrative Department is engaged in multiple activities to sustain and enhance handicrafts sector, the Handicrafts Corporation is contributing to quality control and marketing through skill centres at critical business centers in India. He said that Corporation and Department have to synergize the activities for production, export, exhibition and craft bazaars, training and employment.He expressed hope that Chief Minister’s personal concern will further help to come over difficulties and establish handicraft as an economic sector of the State.