Reports indicate a 33% increase in exports of handicrafts
Handicraft Exports from J&K Touch All-Time High
Exports of handicrafts from Jammu and Kashmir has touched an all-time high of Rs 1,004 crore during the last fiscal, marking an increase of more than Rs 340 crore compared to previous year.
‘‘The state’s handicrafts export has touched an all-time high of R1,004 crore by March, 2011, as compared to R661.24 crore during the previous fiscal,’’ minister for industries SS Slathia said while reviewing the performance of the handicraft department here.
He said the government is mobilising all the resources to give boost to the sector which provides the livelihood to nearly four lakh people in the state. The minister also directed expeditious completion of the ambitious project to replace all the traditional looms with the modern looms at a cost of R1.20 crore.
So far, 39 looms have already been replaced by modern looms while the remaining 35 looms would be replaced by the end of next month.
“Government would explore all possibilities to provide free insurance cover to Below Poverty Level (BPL) artisans,” the minister said.
State awards for outstanding artisans would also be revived from the current year to encourage artists to adopt handicrafts as a dignified profession, Salathia said.
(Press Trust of India)