Stressing on the need for reviving the traditional handloom weaving sector,the Jammu and Kashmir government has warned of stern action against vendors selling ordinary shawls in the name of Kashmiri shawls to tourists in the state. "Handloom products of the state are famous and a favourite the world-over and its purity needs to be preserved at all costs," Minister for Industries and Commerce S S Slathia said. He directed the concerned officers of the handloom and handicrafts departments to launch a vigorous drive against unscrupulous traders that sell fake products bearing the 'Kashmir' tag. "We shall have to be tough against unscrupulous traders who sell Amritsari shawls in the name of Kashmiri shawls," 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 (SKICC) here yesterday. He said these dishonest traders bring a bad name to the state. 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. 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 upliftment of the weaver community. The coalition 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. To boost handloom production in a big way,Slathia said all traditional handlooms will 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 a livelihood to about five lakh people in the state,has vast potential for further employment generation,he said. However,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. In order to increase the exposure of products weaved by Kashmiri handloom units,the minister said the government organises handloom shows in various states of the country and also sends local weavers to other states for getting first-hand information about the latest market trends and designs.
