Srinagar: The business and artisan community today launched Kashmir Pashmina Organisation (KPO) which is an amalgam of Artisans, Weavers, Manufacturers, exporters, and Retailers associated with the pashmina sector.
In a statement, the newly formed organization said that KPO came into existence as a like-minded community for the prosperity and betterment of this heritage industry.
As per the newly formed body, Mubashir Shaw is the president of the organisation, Musadiq Shah will be Senior Vice President, Junior Vice President will be Mushtaq Ahmad Beigh. The General Secretary of the organisation is Ahsan Rishi. Hilal Rather, Tariq Shair, Parvez Ahmad Bhat, Hashmatullah Khan, and LatiefBhat will be Joint General Secretary, Treasurer, Media and Publicity, Chief Patron, and Patron respectively.
The members of KPO said that over the past 5 years the exports have collapsed to a new low. They said that a Multi-dimensional approach is required to encourage export which includes special schemes aimed at the revival of all the traditional crafts of Kashmir.
KPO urged for a full waiver of the loans taken under the Artisan Credit Card scheme. They said a special soft loan scheme with a proper moratorium should be initiated so that the sector is not disturbed. At the event, KPO announced increase in the wages for the spinner community.