Handicraft promotion to address unemployment: Nizam-ud-Din Bhat
‘World Bank-funded Rs 44.61 cr Kashmir Haat-II to come up at Pampore’
SRINAGR, OCTOBER 16- 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.
This was stated by Vice Chairman for Handloom Development Corporation, Nizam-ud-Din Bhat said.
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, artisans’ more than 20 lakh people are getting livelihood from the sector including traders, designers and dyers of the State,” he said, while adding 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 claimed that 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.
