Srinagar, Oct 18: Terming the handicrafts sector as key zone of employment in J&K, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today emphasized the need for addressing artisans’ problems.
“Government wants to rejuvenate handicraft sector and ameliorate the lot of artisans, besides protecting and upgrading this specialty of the state,” he asserted, adding “in order to reduce the chance of exploiting poor artisans by middlemen the department concerned should devise an efficient method where under the artisans are able to directly market their handicraft products particularly in Delhi and other metropolis.”
 Omar, according to an official statement, said the artisans need to be encouraged to sell their products in outside markets by empowering them with required facilities so that the benefits percolate directly to poor artisans, adding that he has already constituted a task force under Chief Secretary, which has been asked to submit its report within three months suggesting measures and recommendations for uplift of artisans and the handicrafts sector.
 The CM, according to the statement, was chairing a high level meeting, convened to look into various aspects of government intervention required in the revival of handicraft sector to its pristine glory and ensuring social security to the artisans.
 Omar said that involvement of Finance and Planning Departments and J&K Bank in the task to concretize the proposal for uplift of handicrafts sector and the artisans is imperative.
 The CM underlined the need for dovetailing various schemes in vogue in the handicraft department and in J&K Bank. “There is a need to harmonize the schemes available in various departments aimed at artisan benefits. This would consolidate the efforts and help reach out the artisans more appropriately”, he said.
 Omar said that besides Valley, Jammu division and Ladakh too have traditional handicrafts activities which also need to be properly focused for development and upgradation. He directed the task force to reach out the artisans in all areas and ascertain their difficulties while formulating the report.
 The CM also directed the Task Force to look into the functioning of various emporia and come up with suggestions how these market outlets are utilized to benefit the poor artisans.
 The Minister for Rural Development presented a comprehensive resume of the difficulties of artisans and stressed on early attending to the handicrafts sector for its revival and growth.
 The meeting discussed matters pertaining to improving access to credit by the artisans under Micro Enterprises Scheme, Capacity Building, enhancement in Stipend to trainees, Raw Material, Marketing, Rehber-e-Dastkar Scheme, Design and Production Diversification, Artisan Colony and Exemption of VAT.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 18 Oct 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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