To promote handicrafts of Kashmir, the centre in the last three years released more than Rs 1400 crore to Jammu Kashmir.
Official figures reveal that the centre in the last three years released Rs 1404.19 to Jammu and Kashmir under National Handloom Development Programme, which is aimed at promoting as well as boosting production of local handicraft goods from the states.
Apart from that, Rs 2.84 lakhs have been also released to Jammu and Kashmir Under Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) “for assisting the artisans in setting up units with modern infrastructure, adequate training, the latest technology, and human resource development inputs.”
With abundant funding and sustained promotional campaigning, official documents also revealed the export of handicrafts from Jammu Kashmir has gone up by more than 50 per cent in the last two years.
It said that handicrafts worth Rs. 1116.37 crore were exported in FY 2022-23 against Rs. 563.13 Crore in FY 2021-22.
During the last year exports of shawls have seen the biggest growth. The value of the shawls shipped in the previous fiscal year was Rs 424.20 against Rs 165.98 crore in 2021-22. The carpets exports saw an increase of Rs. 106.15 crore as well. In contrast to Rs 251.05 crore in 2021-22, Rs 357.21 crore worth of carpets were exported in 2022-23.
Chain stitch recorded a huge jump in exports. Against Rs 79.56 crore in 2021-22, the chain stitch exports hit Rs 284.46 crore in the last fiscal.
Official documents claimed that the government this year has increased its number of exhibitions across the country to promote Kashmir’s handicrafts at a bigger level.
From counted exhibitions in the year 2020 and 2021 due to the covid-19 spread, more than 50 exhibitions have been planned for the current year.
“So far many exhibition have been held in many states of India. We got a great response for Kashmir handicrafts during the recent G20 summit at SKICC. It promoted our handicrafts in different countries of the world,” an official said.
Pertinently, the Department of Industries and Commerce in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization held a ‘Jammu Kashmir Textile Sourcing fair, 2023’ in which over 100 exhibitors participated to showcase their craft.
“More exhibitions are coming in the Autumn and winter, which will certainly help to push our exports much higher than the previous year,” the official said.
Earlier this year, the government of Jammu and Kashmir recently notified 21 more crafts from Kashmir as “Notified Handicrafts” with the aim of boosting the local artisans—(KNO)