Exports of handicrafts from Jammu and Kashmir have touched an all-time high of Rs 1,004 crore during the last fiscal, marking an increase of over Rs 340 crore compared with the previous year.

“The state's handicrafts export touched an all-time high of Rs 1004 crores by March, 2011, as compared to Rs 661.24 crore during the previous fiscal,” Minister for Industries and Commerce, Mr S S Slathia, said while reviewing the performance of the handicraft department here.

He said the government was mobilising all the available options and resources to give boost to the sector which provides the livelihood to nearly four lakh people in the state. The Minister also directed expeditious completion of the ambitious project to replace all the traditional looms with the modern looms at a cost of Rs 1.20 crore.

So far, 39 looms have already been replaced by modern looms while the remaining 35 looms would be replaced by the end of next month. “Government would explore all possibilities to provide free insurance cover to below poverty line artisans,” the Minister said.

State awards for outstanding artisans would also be revived from the current year to encourage artists to adopt handicrafts as a dignified profession, Mr Salathia said.

He said the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs had established a Foreign Trade Affairs Office here to provide export facilities to artisans and handicraft traders of Jammu and Kashmir.

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