The Handicrafts and Handloom Department (H&H Deptt) Budgam today organised a one-day exhibition cum awareness programme themed ‘Encouraging Cooperatives towards Self-reliance’ for the budding Cooperative societies of the district.
Deputy Registrar Industrial Cooperatives (Hq), Zahid Rashid; Assistant Director Handicrafts and Handlooms Budgam, Abbas Ahmad; DIO Budgam, Erum Khan; Assistant Registrar Industrial Cooperatives, Junaid Ahmad besides, PRIs, all registered cooperative societies of the district, eminent persons of the society were present on the occasion.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Registrar Cooperatives (Hq) appreciated the artisans for keeping this sector alive, he however stressed for giving the sector a new dimension by adopting innovative designs and techniques to maximize exports so that young entrepreneurs are motivated to set up units under the sector.
He said to revive the sector to its old glory and take it at global level, the government has introduced many new artisan friendly schemes particularly providing modern carpet looms free of cost under mega cluster programme through banks at 10 percent interest subsidy, artisan credit scheme and pension scheme for artisans enrolling themselves with newly launched PMSYMY scheme, besides providing market facilities to the artisans who desire to participate in the government organized craft bazaars.
Speaking on the occasion, Assistant Director H&H Deptt said that all efforts are being put in to rejuvenate and revive Kashmir Handicrafts and Handloom thereby bringing visible change in the lives of Artisans and Weavers.
He apprised the audience about the benefits associated with the cooperatives and further informed that the department provides protection, reservation and promotion of the Cooperatives.
He said the department is providing training to societies and presently 74 training centers are imparting training in chain stitch embroidery, carpet weaving, gabba embroidery, and tapestry out of these centers 57 are elementary and 17 are advanced centers of training.
In one session at least 20 people are given training, he added. DIO Budgam congratulated the Cooperatives for their role in reviving the handwork, zari, crewel and sozni art and said that the main aim of cooperative society is to protect the economic interest of the people by eliminating the middleman.
She said the success of a cooperative is incomplete until their success stories are given due publicity. She requested officers of the concerned departments to share success stories of the successful and revenue generating societies with District Information Centre Budgam so that the same is publicized and aspiring youth can get inspiration from it to start their own venture.
Earlier, Assistant Registrar Industrial cooperatives Handicrafts, Budgam said that so far 424 societies are registered with H&H department in Budgam. Presently 12500 artisans are registered with the H&H department Budgam.
Among others, various officers and officials of the district also attended the event.