The District Development Commissioner, Budgam Tariq Hussain Ganai today said that government is very sensitive about handicraft sector and measures are being taken to revive the sector.
He was addressing artisans during daylong workshop cum awareness camp organized by Handicrafts Department, here today.
The DDC 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 glory of the sector 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.
The DDC further said that the administrating is going to organize a month-long exhibition mela at Yousmarg and Doodhpathri tourist destinations and will provide all logistic support to the interested artisans and craftsman to establish their stalls which will enable them to sell their hand mad products and demonstrate their craftsmanship.
Earlier, Assistant Director, Handicrafts, Budgam said that 74 training centers are presently imparting training in crwel, zari, sozni, chain stich embroidery, carpet weaving, gabba embroidery and tapestry out of these centers 57 are elementary and 17 are advance centers of training.
Presently 25000 trainee artisans are receiving skill trainings from trained teachers. He said an elementary trainee artist is paid Rs 500 per month as stipend while as an advance trainee artist is receiving a stipend of Rs 700 per month.
