Jammu, April 22: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday chaired a high-level बैठक to review progress and chart the future roadmap for strengthening the handicrafts and handloom sector in Jammu and Kashmir.

Emphasising skill development, Dulloo directed immediate operationalisation of non-functional training centres across districts, with alignment to the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) to ensure wider recognition of certifications.
To boost financial inclusion, he asked officials to scale up artisan registrations on the Udyam portal and link beneficiaries with the RBI’s Unified Lending Interface (ULI) for easier access to affordable credit. He also suggested exploring a dedicated term loan product for artisans on the lines of agriculture financing.
The Chief Secretary called for expanding training programmes in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), including short-term and diploma courses to blend modern design with traditional crafts.
Reviewing Geographical Indication (GI) initiatives, he stressed full utilisation of QR-based tracking systems and their integration with the Government of India’s MeghRaj. He also directed faster implementation of the Tex-RAMPS scheme.
Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce Vikramjit Singh informed that proposals for multiple projects have been submitted to the Centre and that over 17,000 artisans were registered in the past year, taking the total to more than 4.52 lakh. Around 12,600 individuals have been trained through departmental centres.
Director Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir Mussarat Islam highlighted initiatives such as a Craft Village at Sonpah (Budgam), Common Facility Centres for wool processing and yarn dyeing in Srinagar, and upgradation of testing laboratories to improve product quality and curb counterfeiting.
Director Handicrafts & Handloom Jammu Mohammad Nazir Sheikh outlined proposed projects including raw material depots for Pashmina and wheat straw clusters, a bamboo cluster at Samba, a calico printing cluster in Jammu, and an Urban Haat at Samba.
On financial support, officials said over 2,400 cases have been sanctioned under the Credit Card Scheme for Artisans and Weavers, while 46 units have been established under the Karkhandar Scheme with government assistance of ₹185.79 lakh.
The meeting was informed that nearly 4,700 GI-certified artisans are registered across crafts, with over 80,000 products QR-labelled—making J&K the only region in the country with GI tags across its entire range of traditional crafts.
It also reviewed the functioning of institutions such as the Craft Development Institute and the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT), along with promotional initiatives like “Soulful Kashmir” and “Know Your Artisan.”
The meeting concluded with a review of proposed PM Ekta Unity Malls in Srinagar and Jammu, each estimated at ₹100 crore, with land already identified and work expected to commence shortly.