Dulloo reviews measures to boost handicrafts, handloom sector in J&K
Stresses on swift rollout of QR-code traceability and global branding of J&K crafts
SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Sunday chaired a high-level meeting to review the steps being taken by the Industries and Commerce Department for the promotion and development of the Handicrafts and Handloom sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce; Directors, Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir and Jammu; Director, Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT); and other senior officials.
At the outset, the Chief Secretary reviewed the initiatives launched to support artisans and weavers, upgrade testing facilities, and ensure the authenticity of handmade products across the Union Territory.
Emphasizing the need to strengthen product verification systems, Dulloo directed the department to establish a robust QR-code-based traceability mechanism for all Geographical Indication (GI) tagged items. He asked for the full implementation of the digital traceability system by the end of the year.
The Chief Secretary also called for timely completion of major projects, including the Ekta Malls in Srinagar and Jammu, and urged the department to intensify branding and promotion efforts to enhance the global identity of J&K’s traditional crafts.
While reviewing progress on projects such as Wool and Silk Villages, Common Facility Centres for Yarn Dyeing, the Indian Institute of Textiles at Basohli, Sericulture Park, and Craft-based Resource Centre, Dulloo directed officers to expedite their execution. He further advised exploring NSQF accreditation for departmental training centres, trainers, and courses to improve the employability and credibility of trainees.
Commissioner Secretary Vikramjit Singh presented a sector overview, informing that J&K currently has 18 registered GI products in the handicrafts segment, with 10 more under process. He said testing capacity for GI products has doubled from 50 to 100 tests per day and will soon increase to 250 with the installation of two new digital microscopes.
Director, Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir, Masarat-ul-Islam, informed that the department has streamlined GI certification, reducing waiting time to just two days—benefiting around 6,000 registered GI users. He said the department plans to develop the Craft Development Institute (CDI), Srinagar, as a pre-export testing facility to enable direct export of certified products. An MoU with SKUAST-Kashmir is also being finalized to enhance testing and woollen carpet production.
It was informed that the QR-code traceability project, being developed with NIELIT, will be rolled out soon. Meanwhile, in collaboration with NIFT Srinagar, 36 prototype designs across five crafts have been created, and nearly 1,000 artisans trained under 10 design and skill enhancement programmes.
Under the Karkhandar Scheme, nationally acclaimed master craftsmen are mentoring new artisans. Each trainee receives a monthly stipend of ₹2,000, with 12 Karkhanas established and over 120 artisans trained so far.
The IICT Srinagar has developed 2,600 carpet designs, 600 Kani designs, and digitized 650 traditional Taleem patterns, generating ₹56 lakh in revenue.
On the establishment of Ekta Malls, the meeting was informed that sites and design layouts for the Srinagar and Jammu malls have been finalized. These malls will act as one-stop platforms for artisans and buyers to showcase and purchase authentic J&K handicrafts.
As part of a new branding initiative titled “Soulful Kashmir”, the department will launch a series of “Know Your Artisan” programmes at the Jhelum Riverfront, offering the public direct interaction with master artisans.
Additionally, under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Craft Safaris have been organized to artisan clusters in Srinagar, featuring crafts such as Papier Mâché, Pashmina weaving, Sozni embroidery, Carpet weaving, Copperware, Khatamband, and Walnut wood carving.
The department is also rolling out large-scale brand promotion campaigns at airport terminals, city centres, FM channels, and Doordarshan in collaboration with the Department of Information and Public Relations to boost global visibility and market reach of J&K’s crafts.
