LG calls for market linkages, sustainable ties with national, international players
Functioning of Skill Development Department reviewed
Inaugurates WB funded Rs 4.35 cr showroom cum interpretation centre at Govt Woolen Mills, Bemina
Srinagar, Jul 09: With an objective to give a determined push to the growth of wool industry, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Friday inaugurated the Showroom-cum-Interpretation Centre at Government Woolen Mills, Bemina established under the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTRFP).
In the 1st Phase of the project, Showroom-cum-Interpretation Centre was completed at a cost of Rs 4.25 crores. The sub-project was undertaken as part of the Restoration & Strengthening of Livelihood component of the JTFRP project. In Phase II, upgradation of machinery and ancillary work shall be completed by August 2021 end at a cost of Rs 4.00 crores, an official press release said.
Speaking on the occasion, the LG observed that the new Showroom-cum-Interpretation Centre will greatly impact the livelihood opportunities of people working in the mill, besides providing market opportunities for the thousands of wool-producing farmers in J&K. At the same time, the new facility will give a massive revamping to wool industry of the region, he added.
Stressing on providing viable market opportunities to those associated with the wool production, the LG asked the officers to put in committed efforts and formulate a comprehensive strategy to promote local woolen products at the national and international market.
While ensuring the improved and better quality product range, the new centre will provide direct market for 80,000 kgs of locally produced wool annually, thus benefitting 1600 sheep rearing families, said the LG.
This will further improve the economic viability of Government Woolen Mills, Bemina, besides increasing annual fabric production from locally procured wool by 1,60,000 meters, he added.
J&K is the 2nd largest producer of wool in the country, producing approximately 70 lakh kgs of wool per annum. “The reformative policies of the UT government is providing economic growth opportunities to around 50,000 families associated with sheep rearing in J&K,” the LG maintained.
He was informed that the J&K Industry has tie-up with e-commerce platform ‘Amazon’ through Silk Mark Organisation of India (SMOI) as e-marketing channel.
“Registration on GeM portal was completed. Trade name JKIL stands accepted with formal notification to be issued by Registrar by end of August, 2021. Professional catalogues and brochures were also developed. Reputed designers are being roped in to develop new product range in line with present market trends and fashions,” it was informed.
The project is executed as part of the massive revamping of the Government Woolen Mill Bemina which was badly impacted during the floods of 2014 and had caused extensive damage to the building and equipment installed in the mill.
To reinvigorate the functioning of the Government Woolen Mill Bemina, a comprehensive revamping project was undertaken under the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project which included the rehabilitation of the mill, as well as the providing of the latest textile weaving equipment to enhance the production of wool manufactured at the factory.
It was informed that the New Government Silk Factory, Rajbagh with state-of-the-art preparatory, weaving and finishing machinery will be completed soon, thus providing economic benefit to 3000 cocoon-rearing families.
Pertinently, Experience Centre cum Sales Outlet was already made operational at Jammu for promotion and marketing of JKI products.
Meanwhile, at a separate occasion, Lieutenant Governor said that J&K Government’s innovative interventions are getting visible results on the ground by generating more livelihood avenues for skilled & talented Youth of J&K, and creating better prospects for our younger generation.
The LG made these remarks while chairing a meeting to review the functioning of Skill Development Department.
Laying special focus on upskilling of the youth in various sectors, the Lt Governor directed the officials of the Skill Development Department to integrate Skill development with Youth clubs, besides exploring various modalities to hone the ability of the talented youth of J&K by taking the initiatives under skill development to grass root level, a statement issued by the government said.
“Improve quality and market relevance of skill development programmes and provide more access to youth in skill training; Identify gaps and work in convergence for a better outcome”, the statement quoted Lt Governor telling the officials, adding, that all the efforts should be put in to upgrade the skill sets of the youth according to the need of Market and make them ready for future jobs.
The statement further quoted the LG saying, “Keeping in view the objective of Make in India program, skill development is necessary for social and economic betterment, hence there is a need for skilling, re-skilling of the youth. A lot of new job skill-sets will be required in the post-Covid world and our training centres must be fully equipped for that.”
The Lt Governor also passed necessary directions for ensuring on the ground effective implementation of skill development related schemes envisioned by the Central and the UT Government.
The Lt Governor directed the officials to revamp the admission process in the Polytechnics and ITIs across the UT for ensuring 100% capacity utilization of these institutions, and improving the intakes of the students. On the recruitment front, the Lt Governor instructed for recruiting the faculty through a transparent process. He further called for conducting a detailed assessment to get an analysis of the success of the placement drives
The Lt Governor asked the officials to train local youth for film shooting purposes, besides imparting training in local cuisines, hospitality and other sectors, said the statement.
