Good Governance week : H&H department holds Awareness program at Hajin

Bandipora : As part of Good Governance week celebrations, the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom (H&H) today organised an awareness program on different Govt. schemes for artisans and weavers at Town Hall Hajin.

The programme was presided over by Chairman Municipal Committee Hajin, Dr. Irshad Ahmad and was attended by Secretary Municipal Committee Hajin, Handicrafts Training Officer Sumbal, Industrial Promotion Officer, representatives from Cooperative Bank, PRIs, AHTOs, Auditor/ Supervisor INDUSCOS Bandipora, Craft Instructors, along-with other staff members.

The officers apprised the participants about the schemes being run for their welfare and made them aware about the training programme, Cooperativization, availability of design facility from School of Designs Srinagar, benefits of newly launched Credit Card scheme of Rs. 02 lacs having 7% Interest Subsidy available for five years from the date of disbursement etc.

It was informed that since establishment of District Bandipora, 26271 artisans have been registered in District Bandipora in the crafts like Carpet Weaving, Sozni Embroidery, Wood Carving, Chain Stitch, Staple and Gabba Crafts etc while as 464 Cooperatives have been newly registered out of which 25 belong to Town Hajin only.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman MC Hajin lauded the efforts of the Handicrafts & Handloom department in reaching out to the artisans and weavers and raising awareness regarding the schemes of the department.

He urged artisans and weavers to come forward and take full benefits from these government schemes. Assistant Handicrafts Training Officer Bandipora said that the primary objective of the event was to make local artisans and weavers aware about the government schemes and initiatives related to Handicraft and Handlooms.

He highlighted the significance of the Handicrafts and Handloom sector and also deliberated on the reforms and initiatives taken by the department. Auditor INDUSCOS, informed the artisans/weavers about formation of cooperatives and the benefits lying with the department for them.

Artisan Registration Cards were also issued to concerned artisans of Hajin Town during the camp as a mark of inspiration for others. An appeal was made to Artisan fraternity to come forward and get themselves registered with Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom so that the benefits available for them are availed by them without any difficulty and they are helped to stand on their own.