Call for sprucing handicraft sector in J&K
Hindu, India
Srinagar, July 18 (PTI): Calling for the strengthening of the handicraft industry in Jammu and Kashmir, a senior Peoples Democratic Party leader on Tuesday said the sector is important for the growth of State’s economy.
Speaking at a seminar at Magam in Baramulla district, the former Jammu and Kashmir Minister, Ghulam Hassan Mir, said the practice of selling non-Kashmiri handicraft products under the Kashmir label by some unscrupulous tradesmen must be stopped.
The seminar discussed the challenges being faced by shawl industry of the valley in national and international markets and the proposed action plan of the government to protect the industry, a spokesman of the handicrafts department said.
Officers from various departments including directorate of handicrafts, craft development institute, school of designs, J-K bank and Small Scale Industrial Corporation (SICOP) besides representatives from various craft unions attended the seminar.
A society in the name of ‘tahafuz’ (protection) of artisans and their products was formed at the seminar, the spokesman added.