Director Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir reviews implementation of BLCs

Srinagar: The Director Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir Mahmood Ahmad Shah Monday took stock of the Cluster Program of the Handloom wing that are currently being implemented across different locations in the Kashmir.
At the outset, the field functionaries apprised the chair that presently there are 08 Block Level Clusters (BLCs) in various phases active in Kashmir viz. 04 in Srinagar, 02 in Budgam, 01 each in Ganderbal and Baramulla at the cost of Rs 14.00 crores.
The said clusters working for the overall development of weaver community have been sanctioned by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India under National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) for over all development of Weavers community of the Union Territory.
The meeting was informed that the Utilization Certificate of Block Level Cluster, Hawal amounting to the tune of Rs. 54.35 lakh was sent to Ministry of Textiles for release of 2nd instalment amounting to the tune of Rs. 19.00 Lakhs. It was also directed to process the due UC’s of the clusters.
The Director stressed that all grievances regarding the clusters should be redressed swiftly so that the weaver community can extract a maximum benefit from the cluster program.
He further stressed that all such schemes that are in vogue of betterment of weaver’s community shall be implemented in effective manner so that maximum number of Weavers will get benefitted as they are practising centuries old art of weaving to earn their livelihood.
The Director impressed upon that maximum number of benefits shall be extended to the weaver’s community under National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) through Block Level Clusters for their Skill up-gradation, Technological Intervention and economic upliftment.
On spot instructions were issued to Assistant Directors of the Kashmir Division to formulate fresh proposals for Block Level Clusters from weaver concentrated areas so that same may be got sanctioned from the Development Commissioner, Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India at an earliest.
Meanwhile, the meeting was held on the heels of the Govt. decision to fix minimum support prize for G.I. Products.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Joint Director Handlooms Kashmir, Assistant Director weavers services centre, Ministry of Textiles Government of India, Assistant Director Handloom Srinagar, Ganderbal, Baramulla and representatives from Implementing agencies.