Chaudhary Lal Singh, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, met Union Textiles Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar at New Delhi to brief about the state crafts in general and the world famous Basholi Pashmina shawls and Kashmir’s Kani shawls.

Lal Singh apprised Gangwar of several issues envisaging further boost to these world famous craft besides raising certain problems being faced by the weavers of the State.

The world famous Pashmina Shawls can be improved and that too on lower costs if the industry is provided with sufficient and improvised machines in the state itself. The main problem of the people associated with this craft is lack of sufficient raw material.

The Union Minister assured Lal Singh that the centre government would explore possibilities for establishment of raw material manufacturing units for Pashmina in Basholi and for other crafts in Kashmir province.

The Union Minister informed that Central is making all out efforts to increase the number of weaver training centres for women entrepreneurs in the state besides enhancing the funding for modern looms and opening up of Weaver Service Centre in Basholi under Textile sector so that they would be able to earn enough to live a dignified life.

Government of India is also initiating various empowerment programmes for women weavers across the country. The weavers would be provided all possible help so that they can further boost their production and economy as well.