National Handloom Day-2015 being organized by Directorate of Handloom Development and the Jammu and Kashmir Handloom Development Corporation in collaboration with Weavers Service Centre, Srinagar, Union Ministry of Textiles, was observed at SKICC here today.Minister for Industries and Commerce Mr. Chander Parkash Ganga was the Chief Guest on the occasion while as Minister of State for Industries and Commerce Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Mir was Guest of honour.
Financial Commissioner I&C, Mr. Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, Director Handloom Development, Mr. Rajesh Sharma, Managing Director J&K State Handloom Development Corporation, Mr. Anil Sharma, Managing Directors of various Corporations, Special Secretary I&C, Sajad Ahmed, Director Industries and Commerce, Kashmir, Nazim Ziya Khan, Joint Director Handloom, Senior officers of Weavers Service Centre, Srinagar, Ministry of Textile, Senior Vice President, Federation Commerce of Industries Kashmir, Afaq Qadri and a good number of weavers from Kashmir Valley were present on the occasion.Speaking on the occasion, Minister for I&C, Mr. Chander Parkash said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi National Handloom Day is being organised for the first time in the history of India. He said this indicates the seriousness of Central and State Governments towards this sector. He assured the weavers of all possible help to redress the problems of the State.
Mr. Parkash announced that the department will institute State award to the deserving weavers from next year on National Handloom Day.Recalling the assistance and relief provided by the Government to flood affected families of September 2014, the Minister said that the matter with regard to providing relief to the weavers has already been taken up with the central government adding that the government is serious in this regard.Minister of State for I&C, Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Mir in his address said that State Government has already taken various steps to redress the problems of handloom weavers of the state and will take further steps as well to safeguard this prestigious industry.Financial Commissioner I&C, Mr. Ganai also spoke on the occasion and said that Government will extend all possible help to the weavers of the Sate to safeguard the industry. The FC asked the weavers to open bank accounts individually within a month.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Managing Director Handloom highlighted the importance of National Handloom Day and the activities of the department.The Handloom weavers who spoke on this occasion said that the weavers of the State highly appreciate the initiative of the government for organizing National Handloom Day in the State. They further said that the Handloom Industry of the State is facing threat from power-looms and since last two years, the weavers of the state are fighting their cause for imposition of ban on production of Pashmina products on power looms otherwise the handloom industry of the State will not survive. They also requested for imposition of ban on spinning of Pashmina on machine.Director Handloom Development Department presented vote of thanks on the occasion.