Srinagar, Mar 3: The department of handicrafts organized a day-long awareness camp for artisans at Dab Wakoora, Ganderbal, on February 25.At the camp the artisans were educated about various schemes available with the department for their economic uplift, skill up-gradation and facilities for marketing their goods. The camp was among others attended by the Joint Director Handicrafts, Kashmir and scores of artisans.
 The Assistant Director Handicrafts, Ganderbal, on the occasion gave detailed description of various schemes available with the department, advising the artisans to avail maximum benefit out of these. “The artisans were informed that during 2009-10 up to Jan 2010, District office Ganderbal registered 308 artisans in different crafts.
 The cases of 198 artisans were sponsored to different banks for providing credit facilities and an amount of 37.02 lakh have been disbursed by the banks so far. The department provides five per cent interest subsidy on the loans availed by the artisans for five years. It provides marketing facilities to artisans to exhibit and sell their products by organising Craft Bazaars and provides stalls in Kashmir Haat, Delhi Haat, etc.
 Various insurance schemes are also available for registered artisans to benefit them and their dependents. In order to upgrade their skill the artisans were advised to visit school of designs, an important wing of directorate to acquaint themselves with innovative designs for adoption while producing their goods to make them more attractive for sale,” said the assistant director handicrafts in an official handout today.
 The artisans were also warned about unscrupulous traders who are bent upon to tarnish age old image of Kashmir Arts & Crafts by promoting outside machine made handicrafts.  The artisans were advised to cooperate with the department in its endeavour to eradicate the menace. The artisans at the end of the Camp raised many questions which were replied to their satisfaction.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 3 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 3 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 4 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST