The District Development Commissioner (DDC), Kupwara, Imam Din today inaugurated a day long Handicraft Awareness cum Registration Camp for artisans at Town Hall, here.Speaking on the occasion, the DDC said that handicrafts have historical background connected with the economy of the rural population. He said the government is taking concerted efforts to restore the glory of the handicraft sector. He said a new trend has been evolved in Kupwara district and rural educated females are taking interest in the handicrafts sector.The DDC said that various measures are being taken to boost the handicraft sector in the district which includes provision of Rs.1 lakh free financial assistance to the Industrial Cooperative Societies comprising 10 to 12 girls. Besides, Credit Card Facility worth Rs.2 lakh are being provided to the artisans.The DDC urged concerned officers to conduct more such awareness camps across the district especially in far flung areas so that benefits of the schemes could reach the target public. He stressed upon the artisans especially educated girls to come forward and take advantage of the government schemes to earn livelihood.
Earlier, the AD Handicrafts, Muzammil Hassan Choudhary informed that new registrations of 726 artisans have been made in the district so that they can avail benefits of the schemes meant for the development of Handicraft sector.He informed that 28 Training Centers are presently functioning in the district where 685 trainees are on roll. A stipend of Rs.1000 per month is being provided to the trainees of Elementary Course. While as, Rs.1500 is being provided to the trainees of Advance Course.On the occasion, subject matter specialists of the department and other officers of allied departments raised awareness regarding the government artisan welfare programmes and schemes.Among others, the camp was attended by various officers of different departments and a large number of artisans.Later on, the DDC convened a joint meeting of R&B and Jal Shakti departments to review the progress of ongoing developmental projects including model villages.