Srinagar, October 16(Scoop News) – The Minister for Industries and Commerce, S. S. Slathia has called for developing technology based carpet industry in the State with focus on export oriented production in line with market demand.
Speaking at the Cheque distribution function under Artisan Credit card scheme at Bagh-i-Ali Mardan Khan in downtown city, Slathia said development of professionally qualified and trained human resources was imperative to restore glory of the State’s centuries old carpet industry.
The function was organized by the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology Srinagar (IICT) in coordination of Directorate of Handicrafts.
Slathia urged for providing user friendly modern carpet loom’s besides research based training and knowledge to the artisans so that optimum potential of the carpet industry is exploited. He said in a bid to enhance production of good quality carpets, the Development Commissioner (Handicraft) Union Ministry of Textile has earmarked funds to the tune of Rs. 32 crore for providing 8000 modern carpet looms under mega carpet cluster project to the weavers free of cost. He said during next 5 years plan, maximum traditional carpet looms will be replaced with modern looms. He said that the state government is committed to provide marketing support to the artisans to curtail exploitation of middle men. He said government will bear the burden of interest on loans to the artisans under artisans credit card scheme adding that all resources with the mobilized to come up to the expectations of the handicraft artisans
Slathia also urged the need for using locally produced high quality Mulbery silk as raw material for hand knotted silk carpets instead of spun silk yarn being imported from outside the State. “Time has come when we shall have to switch over to new technology and skill upgradation trends to promote carpet industry on the modern lines, which is imperative for sustenance and existence in the present era of innovations and stiff market competition all over the world,” Slathia added. He said about 4000 carpet weavers of Srinagar district will be trained for skill upgradation during next 3 years. He said handicrafts trainees shall now be awarded with authentic certificates and degrees from ITI and Kashmir University which will make handicrafts a relevant and assured job oriented activity.
Slathia also called for stringent action against unscrupulous traders who sell fake handicrafts on the name of Kashmir brand adding that soon the State will have “Registration of Kashmiri Hand Knotted Silk Carpets under Geographical Indication Act to provide legal protection and safeguard against use of registered Geographical Indication by others.
The Director IICT, Zubair Ahmed in his welcome note informed that the institute has locally developed “Carpet Design Software” where in carpet designs are automatically converted into Taleem scripts and the designs thus created are preserved for ever. With the help of this technology, one can view the complete design on the monitor of a computer before actually making it, so that necessary changes, if required, can be incorporated accordingly.
He said with the application of Carpet Design Software (CDS) technology about 552 carpet and 100 Kani Shawl designs have been developed in the digital form. He said a design Bank for carpet craft in the digital format has been created where under 280 old traditional carpet designs have been digitilized.
The Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerece, Shant Manu, Director Handicrafts Muzaffar Hussain Munshi, Managing Director SICOP, R.K. Tickoo , Managing Director, JKI, Javid Iqbal, Managing Director, JK Cement, R K Razdan ,Director, Industries Kashmir, Meraj-ud-Din Kenoo, Director Handlooms, B. R. Sharma, , Managing Director, SIDCO, M. Mauzam, Managing Director, JK Minerals, V. C. Sharma and Secretary, KVIB, Ravinder Singh and a large number of carpet weavers and handicraft artisans were present on the occasion.