Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a high-level review of initiatives by the Industries & Commerce Department to promote and develop J&K’s Handicrafts and Handloom sectors.

The meeting focused on supporting local artisans, enhancing laboratory testing capacity, and promoting authentic handmade products. Dulloo directed the establishment of a QR code-based digital traceability system for all Geographical Indication (GI) tagged items, to be implemented by year-end. He also emphasized timely completion of key projects, including Ekta Malls in Srinagar and Jammu, Wool and Silk Villages, Common Facility Centre for Yarn Dyeing, the Indian Institute of Textiles at Basohli, Sericulture Park, and Craft-based Resource Centres.
Officials highlighted that J&K has 18 registered GI products, with 10 more in the pipeline. Testing capacity has increased from 50 to 100 tests per day and will reach 250 with new digital microscopes. The GI certification waiting period has been reduced to two days, benefiting around 6,000 registered artisans. Plans are underway to make Craft Development Institute (CDI), Srinagar, a Pre-Export Testing Facility and collaborate with SKUAST-K for woollen carpet testing and bulk production.
Under the Karkhandar Scheme, master craftsmen mentor new artisans, providing a monthly stipend of Rs 2,000 and continuous guidance. The Indian Institute of Carpet Technology has developed 2,600 carpet designs, 600 Kani designs, and digitized 650 Taleem patterns, generating Rs 56 lakh revenue.
The department is also launching “Soulful Kashmir,” a series of ‘Know Your Artisan’ programmes, and Craft Safaris under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Brand promotion campaigns are being rolled out at airports, city centres, FM channels, and Doordarshan to enhance global visibility of J&K crafts.
The Chief Secretary stressed that these initiatives will provide artisans with a global platform, strengthen skills, and boost the region’s economic growth through authentic hand-made products.