Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha presented the UT Level Award to the artisans at the Raj Bhavan auditorium today, congratulating all the awardees for their commendable service to preserve and promoting priceless cultural and artistic heritage.
The LG said the administration has taken several important steps to boost the handicrafts and handlooms sector.
According to an official press release, he said, “We are committed to providing training, design, technology, financial and other infrastructure support that will significantly contribute to the growth of this sector and earnings of artisans.”
The LG said that unprecedented growth has been recorded in the last three months and this sector has registered Rs 729 crore worth of export despite the instability in the global market and it shows the collective efforts of artisans and the handicrafts department.
“More than 3 lakh artisans are registered with the department. A number of steps like enhanced financial assistance, 7 percent interest subvention, training, assistance to 3000 Self Help Groups and cooperative societies have been taken to accelerate the development of this sector,” he added.
The LG also spoke on the various other efforts of the UT administration such as GI tagging, labeling, brand building, and incentives to increase exports and ensure access to the global market.
“The department has launched e-commerce platforms to empower the artisans,” the LG said.
“Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, J&K has set a new record in Village Industrial Units. In the last financial year, 1.73 lakh new jobs were generated under PMEGP alone,” he added.
On the occasion, the LG directed the Department of Handlooms and Handicrafts to develop a mechanism for further increasing the export in the sector and changing the lives of artisans and craftsmen.
Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Prashant Goyal, Principal Secretary Industries & Commerce; Vijay Kumar Biduri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, other senior officers of Handicrafts & Handlooms Department, besides a large gathering of awardees and artisans were present.
