Shadow Correspondent
srinagar, Feb, 26
Describing the Carpet (Kaleen), the identity of Kashmir, the Advisor to LG, Baseer Ahmad Khan has asked the authorities of Handicrafts Handloom Department and Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) to come up with a comprehensive plan for revival and promotion of this industry envisaging therein the interests of the weavers to keep this profession preserved for our posterity. He said formulation of incentive based policy is need of the hour in order to retain the people (weavers) associated with this job besides motivating others to take up this as income generating profession. This was stated by the Advisor while visiting Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) Bagh-i-Ali Mardan Khan here today. Director Handicrafts and Handloom, Mr Mehmood Ahmad Shah, Director IICT besides other senior officers of the department accompanied him.
Earlier, the Advisor visited the Industrial Estates (IE), Bagh i Ali Mardan Khan and inspected several Units established there in private sector. Director Industries and Commerce, Mr Nazim Zai, General Manager, DIC Srinagar Mrs.Tazayun Mukhtar Kawoos and other senior officers of the department were present on the occasion.
While interacting with the trainees at IICT, the Advisor said that Government has initiated several measures for promotion of Industrial sector and assured them that all possible assistance will be extended to those, who are willing to establish their own income generating units by way of giving financial assistance and providing direct marketing facilities to dispel the role of middleman. He said formation of societies will be encouraged at all level so that more people are roped in for making this industry a big source of income to the people living in rural and far off areas of the Valley. Mr Baseer directed both the Directors to take care of the health and family of the trainees and trained ones by introducing health insurance schemes for them and their families besides extending education incentives to their children. The Advisor said that weavers are the backbone of this industry and asked the concerned authorities to conduct a thorough survey so that proper attention is given for establishment of cluster Units.
The Advisor said that Government has taken several initiatives for promotion of Handicrafts and Handloom sectors and asked the trainees to establish self help groups (SHG) in their respective areas to ensure better price for their products in the market. He said e-commerce trend is becoming popular worldwide and asked the trainees to take advantage of these markets once they establish their own income generating Units.
Terming designing as an important factor of this trade, Mr Baseer Khan asked the concerned authorities to keep developing new designs meeting the market demands at international level and asked the IICT authority to preserve all designs developed in the Institute and go for developing new attractive and innovative ones.
Referring to the functioning of dyeing unit of the IICT, Advisor said that it needs to be augmented once the Unit is matching international standard.
Mr. Mehmood while briefing the Advisor about the functioning of the department said that manufacturers should brand their products “machine made or handmade” so that customer cannot commit any mistake while making the purchase of such products. He said GI tagging has become necessary for checking of deceit being carried out by some selfish traders and cheaters.
While inspecting the Industrial Units at Industrial Estates, the Advisor was briefed by the Director Industries and Commerce about functioning and status of business units established there. He was informed that several units have turn sick due to varied reasons especially Covid 19 pandemic. He asked the authorities of Industries Department to examine all the Units individually and come up with a concrete proposal how these Units could be revived and made viable. He said Industry is known as the backbone of the economy and directed the concerned authorities to take necessary steps for protection of this sector.
The Advisor said that the Estates needs to be developed on modern lines and instructed the authorities to devise a development plan having all facilities, like Common Facility Centre, Medical aid, recreation facilities, developed roads, drinking water facility, proper drainage, parks and other allied facilities.
While interacting with the Unit holders, the Advisor said that Government is committed to find and provide better marketing facilities to the manufacturers, adding that the possibility would be explored for allotting space to manufacturing units during Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2021. He asked the unit holders to be honest in their business and sell all the items as per brand whether machine made or handmade. “Quality of the products should be bench mark of your business”, he advised the unit holders.
