Stressing on the need for reviving the traditional handloom weaving sector, the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Government has warned of stern action against vendors selling ordinary shawls in the name of Kashmiri shawls to tourists.
“Handloom products of the State are a favourite the world over and their purity needs to be preserved at all costs,” the Minister for Industries and Commerce, Mr S S Slathia, said.
He directed the officers concerned of the Handloom and Handicrafts Departments to launch a vigorous drive against unscrupulous traders that sell fake products bearing the ‘Kashmir' tag.
Buyer-seller meet
“We shall have to be tough against unscrupulous traders who sell Amritsari shawls in the name of Kashmiri shawls,” Mr Slathia said, addressing a gathering of handloom weavers after inaugurating a buyer-seller meet organised by the J&K Handloom Development Department at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference here on Thursday.
He has also called for revival of the traditional handloom weaving industry by blending contemporary designs into exquisite fabrics, mirroring new market trends and consumer tastes.
Insurance scheme
Mr Slathia assured the weavers that no stone would be left unturned to improve their living conditions and asked them to take full benefit of various State and Centrally-sponsored welfare schemes for uplift of the weaver community.
The Government has extended insurance cover to handloom weavers, he said, adding that the credit facility for traditional handloom weaving units has been enhanced from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh.
He said a scholarship scheme for the children of handloom weavers has also been introduced in the State.
Modern looms
To boost handloom production in a big way, Mr Slathia said all traditional handlooms would be replaced by modern looms in a phased manner. The new looms will be distributed free of cost to the weavers.
The handloom sector, which provides livelihood to about five lakh people in the State, has vast potential for further employment generation, he said.
However, Mr Slathia noted, “The handloom sector cannot be promoted unless the living conditions of weavers are improved,” while adding that it was necessary to eliminate middlemen from the trade, as they exploit weavers' artistic works for petty gains.