Several initiatives pitched to revive textile sector in J&K

The Industries and Commerce Department to revive and boost the textile sector in the State has pitched several initiatives and investment. One of the important project being undertaken is the modernization of the once famed Silk Factory at Raj Bagh in Srinagar which is being upgraded with replacement of 44 looms, commissioning of finishing plant, boiler and other machinery besides execution of civil works at a total cost of ₹23.54 crore.

On completion of the project, which has been targeted for two years, which would have significant effect on the silk production at the factory, it is projected to increase silk production from the current 50,000 meters to 5 lakh meters annually, taking the total silk production of the State from 2.80 to 6.80 lakh meters per annum. The addition of 4 lakh meters will be of high-end fabric, which will increase the value from Rs 5 to Rs 32 crore.

The modernization project is also expected to benefit some 20,000 cocoon growers and other ancillary workers in the Kashmir Valley. Most of the cocoon produced locally would be bought here, thereby stabilizing the cocoon prices and also raising the demand for more cocoon production in the state.

In addition to the upgradation of the Silk Factory, the Department has also had the upgradation of the Bemina Woolen Mills approved by the World Bank.
The Mill is being upgraded with installation of a high-speed plant, a carding machine, a boiler and rapier looms along with the execution of civil works at a total cost of Rs 11.74 crore.

After its revival, the wool production of the State is projected to increase from 5 lakh meters to 9 lakh meters per annum, with the addition of 4 lakh meters of the high-end fabric projected to increase the value from Rs 2.50 crore to Rs 34 crore.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti recently laid the foundations of the two modernization projects approved by the World Bank under the Jhelum-Tawi Flood Recovery Project.

The Union Ministry of Textiles has agreed to provide an amount of Rs 50 crore for undertaking the Pashmina Promotion Programme under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan for the promotion of Pashmina.

Besides, the Union Ministry of Textiles has agreed to sanction an additional lot of 6000 modern carpet looms, involving a Central share of ₹24 crore to boost the carpet-weaving industry in the state, the department has nearly completed the distribution of some 8000 modern carpet looms to the carpet weavers of the state.

The government for upliftment of artists has provided ₹46.79 crore as 10% Interest Subvention for the cases sanctioned under the Artisan Credit Card Scheme against which ₹15.20 crore was provided for the purpose during 2015-16 and ₹31.59 crore was provided during 2016-17 to clear the previous dues on account of Interest Subvention. Some 4,748 beneficiaries have benefited under the scheme so far.