Directorate of Handicrafts

Brief note on Handicrafts Sector

The Handicrafts of the state of Jammu and Kashmir are known for their attractive designs, high quality craftsmanship and their functional utility. On one hand its aesthetics have attracted world wide fame and on the other hand it plays an important role in the economic upliftment of the state. In the absence of large scale industries, it has been a key economic activity for times immortal, handicrafts of the state are highly important for the economic development of the country as well. It not only provides livelihood to lakhs of artisans but also serves as a source of earning, foreign exchange for the country while the credit embroidered shawls, crewel emb. Namdha, Chain Stitch, Wood carving Papier Mache, Kani Shawl and costume Jewellery are produced and exported, the carpet holds a significant share in the overall production and exports of the state. A separate Directorate of Handicrafts Department was set up during the year 1972 with a view to disperse the crafts all over the state and to boost production.

The Directorate came with a special attention on handicrafts, way back in 1976-77 and launched an extensive Massive Training Programme with the triple objective for pushing up production to meet increased demand of Handicrafts in the domestic and global market, employment generation and preservation of the exquisite traditional skill. Right from the inception of training Programme the estimated strength of youths trained in different crafts is about 3.00 lacs.

The achievement of the department are summarized as under:

1. Training Programme:

Handicrafts industry has occupied an important role in the economy of the state and makes a conspicuous contribution in sustaining direct employment of more than three lakh people in the state. The Handicrafts produced in the state have won a World wide fame for their designs and craftsmanship. The woolen and silken carpets of the state remain unparalleled at the national level in its quality and designs and have a special place in the global market as well. The Handicrafts sector in the state is as highly employment oriented only next to agriculture in the state.

The creation of additional skilled manpower was the main task in the field of development of Handicrafts and this aspect therefore engaged the focus of Government since 1976-77 onwards. This was aimed to spread a base of the production of the industry for meeting the growing demand of goods and creating gainful employment opportunities for youths of the state. At present there are 552 training centres including 55 no. of training centers under Massive Carpet Scheme with the intake capacity of 14175 trainees run by the Handicrafts department. The training centres are classified as advanced and elementary, 171 no. of training centres are of advance course and 381 no. of training centres are of elementary course.

The no. of trainees trained for the 1st three years of the 9th five year plan is as under:-

2. Massive Carpet Scheme:

Massive Carpet scheme was introduced in the Jammu and Kashmir State in the year 1976 with the aim and object to extend the training Programme to both rural and urban areas in order to facilitate the job employment. The scheme was sponsored and funded partly by the state and central Government.

In Kashmir valley J & K Handicrafts S&E corporation was entrusted the job of the establishing these centres in the Districts, such as Srinagar and Budgam. The training was given phase-wise in the elementary course, up to the year 1982.

During the year 1982 need was felt to improve the quality of the carpets with the result the elementary course was stopped and the corporation started higher advance training program in order to introduce intricate designs in higher knot age. In the year 1988 the Government of Jammu and Kashmir transferred 35 centres of MCS - 20 to Kashmir and 15 to Jammu province to the Handicrafts Department. Later on remaining 20 no. of centres were also transferred along with staff to the Handicrafts Department during 1997-98. All these training centres are borne on the plan Budget. Thus, the total no. of training centres under MCS transferred from J&K Handicrafts (S&E) Corporation comes to 55.

3. Induscos Sector:

The department of Handicrafts has been registering the handicrafts cooperative societies in the state. These societies are formed by the private artisans/craftsman and passed out trainees of the handicrafts sector. The department registered following no. of cooperative societies during the 1st three year of 9th five year plan are as under:-

4. Employment:

The direct impact of large scale training programme launched by the department has been that the employment in handicrafts industry which stood at 2.25 lakhs in 1990-91 subsequently increased to 3.20 lacs in 1999-2000.

5. Production:

Due to the continuous efforts of the department and also contribution from private sector, the production of Kashmir handicrafts has increased from Rs. 200.00 Crores in 1990-91 to about Rs. 600.00 crores in 1999-2000. There are however, only the estimated figures which have been thus taken into account while it is considered that the actual production might have increased tremendously and must have touched higher target. For actual figure of production and exports a census is going on right now with the assistance of central Govt.

6. Exports:

As mentioned earlier, handicrafts of the state is the source of earning foreign exchange to the country. The goods produced in the industry attract consumers as well. The main items of the exports has been the carpets followed by Papier Mache and embroidered shawls with the increase in overall production of handicrafts items. The exports of the state have increased from Rs. 34.60 crores in 1990-91 to Rs. 556.79 crores in 1999-2000. The export figures of the 1st three year of the 9th five year plan are as under:-

7. Holding of Craft Bazar/Exhibitions:

Besides alone, in order to promote the sale of goods, the department organises expo's and craft Bazar/Melas at various Markets within & outside the state every year which provides opportunity to small artisans/manufactures to come in to direct contact. During the year 1999-2000, one Expo at baba Kharak Singh Marg New Delhi and four craft Bazars at Chandigarh, Jaipur. Udaipur and at Delhi Haat were organised by the department. In addition to above one exhibition (IITF) was also organised at Pragati Maidan New Delhi.

The development Commissioner Handicrafts Ministry of Textiles Govt. of India helps the state govt. in participation of exhibitions in various states within country and also outside the country at international level.

The Handicrafts Department is implementing Centrally Sponsored Schemes in order to cover health care of artisans as well as providing housing. There are three Centrally sponsored schemes mentioned here under in due progress at present.

Health Insurance.
Group Insurance.
Workshed and Housing for Artisans.

8. School of Designs:

The Directorate of Handicrafts through School of Designs is constantly producing new improved designs in various crafts and supplies these to craftsmen who come forward to avail of these constantly.

9. Craft Development Institute:

The state Govt. within the active support of Development Commissioner Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles Govt. of India is setting up a craft Development Institute to provide advanced facilities to Handicrafts of the state The project is coming up at Bagh-I-Ali Mardan at Srinagar Kashmir.

10. Government Central Market:

Government Central Market established in 1937-38 is an exclusive market dealing in exclusively handicrafts in Kashmir. It has 128 shops under the administrative control of Directorate of Jammu and Kashmir. Separate shops are dealing with different Kashmir arts and crafts like, Carpets, Shawls, Wood carving, Papier Mache, Fur & Leather, Kashmir Jewellery and also dry fruits of Kashmir. In this market all items are labelled and prices fixed.