Jammu: To streamline the GI tagging of Jammu and Kashmir’s art and craft through the Craft Development Institute, the Administrative Council (AC) approved the transfer of administrative control of the Craft Development Institute (CDI) to the Industries and Commerce Department for promoting GI tagging of J&K arts and crafts.
The decision is aimed at promoting and developing the traditional, contemporary, modern and diversified crafts in Jammu and Kashmir through targeted and strategic planning, an official spokesman said following a meeting of the Administrative Council (AC) chaired by Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha.
The Craft Development Institute plays a pivotal role in identifying and promoting varied crafts and obtaining the coveted Geographical Indicator (GI) tag to further boost awareness and sales of authentic products. The Institute has so far assisted Pashmina, Sozni, Kani, Khatamband, Papermachie, Walnut carving, and Carpet art in achieving the GI tag, whereas, Namdha, Shikara, and Waguv are in the process of obtaining the same, the spokesman said.
He said, earlier, to facilitate the Pashmina artisans and weavers to avail testing, certification, and labelling facilities for authentication of pashmina products, the Government had transferred the administrative control of Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre from the Skill Development Department to the Industries Department. The step has successfully protected the interests of artisans through authentic trade of genuine pashmina based handicrafts and handloom products in the market.
Meanwhile, the Administrative Council approved establishment of 5000 MT Multi Chambered Modern Cold Storage and Ripening Project for storing fresh fruits & vegetables, by J&K State Agro Industries Development Corporation Ltd.
The project will be first of its kind cold storage facility for fresh fruits and vegetables in Jammu district and will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 2646.73 lac at Talab Tiloo, Jammu in next eight months. It will reduce the post-harvest losses by increasing the shelf life of various agriculture/horticulture products, besides addressing the issue of distress sales of the crops by the farmers, an official spokesman said.
He said, during the last two years, an enabling environment has been created for transforming J&K Agriculture and allied sector to increase the income of farmers, ensure food security and speed up the economic growth of J&K. The Government has taken several concrete steps for increasing the Agriculture/Horticulture production and enhancing the quality of the crop, while laying special focus on the post harvesting management infrastructure especially in private sector.
So far, around 1.98 LMT of CA Storage has been established in the private sector which has mostly focused on one crop only. The upcoming project is a step towards diversifying the cold storage facility for multiple fruits and vegetables in Jammu division, said the spokesman.
Farooq Khan and Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisors to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting, said the spokesman.
