Various Panchayat representatives from various areas of Dangerpora-Sonawari district Bandipora on Monday joined the Apni Party at its office here.
The new entrants to Apni Party–Manzoor Ahmad Kawa, Sarpanch Dangarpora, Block Ganastan, Bilal Ahmad Rather, Ali Mohammad Sofi and Nazir Ahmad Sofi Panchs from Dangarpora Sonawari-Bandipora district were welcomed by Noor Mohammad Sheikh, party District President Srinagar, Irfan Naqib Incharge Zadibal Constituency, Ajaz Ahmad Rather Zonal President Amirakadal Constituency and Social Activist SajidBhat from Indira Nagar.
On this occasion, the former legislator and Apni Party district president Noor Mohammad Sheikh appealed to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to address the sufferings of artisans associated with the Handicrafts sector in district Srinagar.
“Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) spring fair 2020 (the biggest platform for artisans to get overseas orders) has been canceled. While bigger artisans use other retailers and exports to reach their markets, cancellation of regular, scheduled exhibitions by the government, Crafts Council of India, Dastkar, Dastkari Haat and private players have taken away the primary sales channel of numerous small artisan units,” he said.
He said that with near-zero sales now for over a month (since March), artisans currently have no savings to restart production, and also face other production challenges like unavailability of raw materials or access to water. “This would result in their not being able to service orders and customers even when the lockdown is lifted and demand slowly starts to pick up,” he added.