Jammu & Kashmir
Newly formed Pashmina dealers’ body urges Admin for support to revive industry
Srinagar: Kashmir Pashmina Organization on Wednesday said that in the absence of export orders, both Manufacturers as well as sellers, are going through a very rough phase due to the COVID crisis and a multi-dimensional approach is required to encourage the export.
The export, according to the spokesperson Kashmir Pashmina Organisation (KPO), includes revival interventions for Kashmir Handmade Pashmina Shawls and Sozni cottage-based industry focusing on weavers, manufacturers and exporters are much needed, special schemes aimed at revival of all the traditional crafts of Kashmir and starting, clusters for Pashmina industry is a need of hour including a constant supply of raw materials through Raw Material Banks or any other mechanism the Committee may deem appropriate.
The Kashmir Pashmina Organization also urges for a full waiver of the loans taken under the Artisan Credit Card scheme. The spokesperson said that JK Admin must declare Artisan credit card at par with Kissan credit card and all artisans and weavers must be provided monthly relief packages the way government is paying daily earners and shikara walas.
The spokesperson added that stakeholders of the Handicraft sector which are capable of 100% investment without banking support are under tremendous stress. Though these manufacturers and exporters play a key role in the betterment of the handicraft sector, they need honest attention because their capital is exhausted and diluted due to the post 5th August 2019 and lockdown period. A special soft loan scheme with proper moratorium should be initiated so that the chain of handicraft sector is not disturbed.
The administration should adopt Brand Kashmir. This would also greatly support the liquidation of huge pile up of unsold inventory in the handicraft Sector. Self Help / Co-operatives should be fast phase as KPO is encouraging at all levels so that these Artisans and Weavers come forward in the form of Co-operatives, the spokesperson added.
The Kashmir Pashmina Organization is an amalgamation of Artisans, Weavers, Manufacturers, Exporters and Retailers associated with the Pashmina sector. It came into existence as like-minded community of Weavers, Artisans, Manufacturers, Exporters, Retailers and Technical experts came forward for the prosperity and betterment of this heritage industry.
In order to realize the goals and objectives an executive body of KPO was formed, said the spokesperson. Mubashir Shaw is the President of the organization, Musadiq Shah would serve as Senior Vice President, Mushtaq Ahmad Beigh Junior Vice President, Ahsan Rishi General Secretary, Hilal Rather Joint General Secretary, Tariq Shair Treasurer, Parvez Ahmad Bhat as Media and Publicity, the chief patron of the organization is Hashmatullah Khan and Latief Bhat is the Patron.
This is pertinent to mention that Pashmina is not just an industry but for every prominent citizen of this country it signifies honor, prestige, glory, and heritage. Over the past 5 years, the exports have collapsed to a new low. The markets in Europe, America, Gulf, and South East Asia are struggling especially after the COVID pandemic. We are witnessing a first time in the history of Kashmir Handicraft that there is a wretched business in the local, domestic, and export markets, the spokesperson added in the statement.
In an event held today, the spokesperson said that KPO announced that an increase in the wages for the spinner community. The new rates would be enhanced up to 50% as compared to previous wages and all the stakeholders have mutually agreed about this new hike in the wages of hand spinning communities of Pashmina.
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