SRINAGAR, Sept 9: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today held a meeting with Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Smt. Neelam Shami Rao in Srinagar to review initiatives aimed at strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s handicrafts, handloom, and sericulture sectors.
The discussions centred on introducing advanced certificate courses at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Srinagar, establishing an incubation centre under Mission YUVA to provide skill training to youth, and promoting QR coding of products to ensure authenticity and wider global market access for J&K’s crafts.
The Chief Secretary assured that the pending issue of land transfer for the Weaver Service Centre at Bemina would be resolved at the earliest.
As part of her two-day visit to Srinagar, Secretary Rao is scheduled to inaugurate the Kanihama Craft Handloom Village and the Central Silk Board’s Seri-Tourism Project at Manasbal. She will also distribute modern carpet looms to 100 beneficiaries and inaugurate an Animal Fibre Quality Assurance Laboratory at SKUAST-K.
Officials said these initiatives are expected to enhance skill development, improve artisan livelihoods, and attract investment and greater recognition for the Union Territory’s rich craft and textile heritage.
