As part of the Central Government’s Public Outreach Programme for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Textiles and Railways, Smt. Darshana V. Jardosh today conducted whirlwind tour of district Srinagar.
During the tour the MoS visited Govt. Arts Emporium Raj Bagh, Silk Factory and Bemina Wollen Mills.
While visiting the Govt. Arts Emporium, Srinagar, the MoS asked the officers to create awareness across the country about the products being sold at the centre. She added that the products of Kashmir are known worldwide and they need proper publicity and marketing.
The MoS directed the officers to tie-up with e-commerce sites for marketing and selling of products and make provision for online selling through website. She also asked them to devise a mechanism for checking the authenticity and originality of silk.
During the visit to Silk Factory Rajbagh, the MoS interacted with various artisans of papier machie clusters, willow wicker clusters and crewel crafting clusters.
She also distributed certificates among the artisans for participating in Color and Design Trends workshop and Market Research and Buyer Trends Workshop.
Speaking on the occasion, the MoS said that the artisans here are unique and their uniqueness is reflected in the showcased products of the factory. She asked the officers to establish Common Facility Centre for artisans so that required training as well as marketing techniques can be provided to them.
During the visit, Smt. Jardosh also inspected the stalls of various clusters like Shaksaaz, Bandipora weavers, Noor Aari Crafts and Zadibal craft and interacted with them.
During the tour, the MoS also visited Govt. Wollen Mills Bemina and inspected its functioning. She visited different sections of the mills and also interacted with the staff there.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir has vast potential in terms of textile industry as world renowned silk having GI mark is being produced here. She stressed upon the officers to tap this potential of J&K and make it hub of textile manufacturing industry.
Meanwhile, the MoS also paid a visited to Directorate of Sericulture here and participated in Cocoon Auction Market 2021-22 and also interacted with cocoon weavers.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister highlighted that the purpose of this visit is to ascertain the development of textile sector in the UT of J&K. She added that the government has launched several schemes for the development of this sector and the people associated with it should take due benefits of these schemes.
The Minister further said that under the able guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the textile sector has seen a sharp growth and technical infrastructure as well as knowledge resources for the farmers are given due importance.
While interacting with the cocoon weavers, the MoS asked them to take due advantage of all the schemes of government and assured them of constant support.
Later in the day, the MoS visited Central Sericulture Research and Training Institute (CSRTI), Pampore. During the visit, the Minister interacted with the scientists of the institute on research and development of sericulture sector across North India.
Speaking during the interaction, the MoS asked the scientists to provide all kind of support to the cocoon weavers. She asked them to devise those varieties which can increase the productivity and strengthen the levels of efficiency.
The Minister asked the scientists to provide training, transfer of technology, coordination and market development, seed organisation and other related support to the weavers so that gainful employment avenues are created here.
During the interaction, the minister was informed that CSRTI is rendering Research and Development, Technical, Technological, Human Resource Development and Extension Service Support to sericulture farmers in entire North and North-western parts of the country.
