Srinagar: In order to “standardize” carpet weaving as per international norms, the traditional carpet looms are being replaced by modern ones by the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology.
This was revealed by Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chander Parkash Ganga in a written reply to a question by senior National Conference leader and MLA Khanyar Ali Mohammad Sagar.
“The Ministry of Textiles, Government of India has approved distribution of 8000 modern carpet looms (2000 in phase I and 6000 in phase II) with a cost sharing pattern of 80:20 between GoI and state government,” he said.
The Indian Ministry of Textiles has also accorded in principle approval to the procurement and distribution of 6000 modern carpet loom as additional lot with central share of Rs 24 crores, he said.
The government, he said, has taken many initiatives to promote the handloom and handicrafts sector for further growth.
“Government is running 553 artisans training centers under handicrafts sector—363 centers offering one year elementary training courses and 190 offers two years advance training course.
Around 7500 persons are being trained in different crafts annually in these centers. The stipends of Rs. 500 and Rs. 700 are being paid to elementary training and advance training artisans, respectively.”
He said the department has covered 44414 artisans under Artisan Credit Card (ACC) scheme involving interest subsidy of Rs 62.36 crore whereas artisans have received a loan to the tune of Rs 375 crore till November ending last year.
He said ACC Scheme provides for easy and soft credit facilities to the artisans, weavers, members of cooperative societies and craftsmen associated with different activities to start their independent ventures. He said the Scheme envisages financial assistance in the form of loan with a ceiling of Rs 1 lakh from various banks and financial institutions. The Government provides interest subsidy @10% on the loan over a period of 5 years, he added. With regard to Skill Development Schemes, he informed that Certificate Course in Carpet Manufacturing (CCCM) is being conducted under Integrated Skill Development Scheme (ISDS) of Ministry of Textiles, GoI under which as many as 2740 persons have been trained so far.
He said that Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) was also conducting Certificate Course for Training of Trainers (CCTOT) with the objective to create a pool of professional trained human resource for the carpet industry.
“To create self-employment opportunities for the target groups, 6 months Certificate Course in Carpet Weaving is also being conducted in concerned areas of Kashmir Division and as many as 300 persons from different districts have been trained till date” he added.
Meanwhile, the Minister said around 80 persons, 20 each from Anantnag, Budgam, Bandipora and Srinagar districts have been imparted 4 month trained under Handicrafts Technical Training on Silk Carpet Weaving Programme, he added.
Responding to another part of question, the Minister said that market support was being provided to the artisans, craftsmen and Micro & Small manufacturers through exhibitions at different places within and outside the State.
The Minister further informed that the Government was also introducing an e-Commerce platform to link artisans and weavers of the State. The target is to increase the exports of Handicrafts and Handloom Products and serving the prime objective of minimizing the exploitation of the multiple steps of middleman ship, he said.
He further informed that the unemployed youth are being provided financial assistance for setting up own ventures under PMEGP. The maximum cost of the project/unit admissible under manufacturing sector was Rs 25.00 lakh, he added.
“It is a bank tie-up scheme where the beneficiary is required to contribute 5 to 10% of the project cost, the GoI provides 25 to 35% Margin Money Subsidy and the rest is provided by the Banks as loan,” he added.
The Minister said that during 2017-18 allocation and targets have been enhanced from the previous year’s allocation and target of Rs 42.52 crore and 2127 units to Rs 81.82 crore and 4125 Units which is 192% enhancement.
He said that to facilitate the buyers to get the genuine products and remunerative prices for the Artisan, “labelling” has been introduced in the State for Kashmir Pashmina through Craft Development Institute (CD), Srinagar.
Giving details of the World Bank Projects, he informed that the Papier Machie Cluster at Zadibal, Crewel Chain Stitch Cluster at Noor Bagh and Willow Wicker Cluster at Ganderbal have been sanctioned for funding under the World bank funded Jhelum & Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP).
Similarly, under KVIB Clusters the Ministry of MSME, Gol has sanctioned various clusters under SFURTI Scheme including Martand Chain Stitch & Crewel Embroidery Cluster at Anantnag at a cost of Rs.4.50 crore and Sukhnag Sozni Embroidery Handicrafts Cluster, Budgam sanctioned at a cost of Rs 4.45 crore, he informed.
