Srinagar, June 7: Maintaining that the tradition of weaving by hand constitutes one of the richest and most vibrant aspects of the economic and cultural heritage of the State, Minister for Industries and Commerce   S. S. Slathia today directed for effective implementation of Integrated Handloom Development Scheme - a comprehensive centrally sponsored initiative- to promote centuries old handlooms in the State, known for its intricate and specialized fabrics weaving and desgins.
 Speaking at a review meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir Handloom Development department here this afternoon,   Slathia asked the concerned officers of the departments to accomplish the assigned task of modernization of handloom fully to check onslaught of machine made fabrics on the handloom sector.
 The Minister of State Corporation (Independent charge) Dr. Manohar Lal, Director Handloom Development Department and concerned officers from all over the State attended the meeting.
 The Minister urged for effective implementation of all the handloom promotional initiatives with special focus on Cluster Development Programme and Group Approach Scheme sanctioned by the Center for the up-liftment of weavers. He asked for skill up gradation of handloom weavers, evolving new designs and provision of adequate marketing support to the weavers to make handloom products market competitive. Formation of more handloom corporative societies would be immensely beneficial in this regard, the Minister added.
 He directed for providing 10 % special rebate on sale handloom products to make these acceptable and competitive against power loan products. He said center has sanctioned two Yarn Depots one each for Srinagar and Jammu.
 It was informed that consortium of 10 weavers have been formed in each handloom cluster during June last three years to established a link between the weavers and the department. In addition, 317 weavers have been provided new looms and 260 weavers provided margin money where as 12,320 weavers brought under health ensure schemes.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 7 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 7 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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