Textiles Ministry sanctions ₹51 lakh for 100 more modern looms for carpet weavers
SRINAGAR: Following the recent distribution of 100 Modified Modern Steel Looms among carpet weavers, the Union Ministry of Textiles has approved an additional ₹51 lakh for the procurement and distribution of another 100 looms under the Wool Processing Scheme of the Central Wool Development Board.
Each loom, priced at ₹51,000, has been specially designed by the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT), Srinagar, featuring a comfortable back-rest and suitable seating arrangement to support weavers during long working hours.
In a press statement, Director IICT, Zubair Ahmad, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Textiles for sanctioning the additional looms for the financial year 2025–26. “These modified looms have been designed keeping in mind the ergonomic needs and health concerns of carpet weavers who spend extended hours creating the world-famous hand-knotted Kashmir carpets,” he said.
He further informed that the Ministry has already released the first tranche of ₹30.60 lakh for loom procurement. “The remaining two instalments will be released once the Utilization Certificate (UC) for the first instalment is submitted,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, has advised interested carpet weavers to contact the offices of the Assistant Director Handicrafts/Handloom across the Kashmir Division to complete the necessary formalities for availing the benefit.
