More than 2 lakh JK artisans not registered with Govt

Srinagar, Jan 30: There are 232524 artisans in Jammu and Kashmir who are yet to get registered with the government and aren’t being benefited by any government scheme or financial assistance.
The government while replying to the question submitted by the national conference legislator Ali Mohammad Sagar stated that there are approximately 4.00 lakh Artisans engaged in the manufacturing of Handicraft goods in the State and the registered ones are 167476 while as the un-registered are 232524 in number. The government however clarified that the incentives as per the guidelines in vogue are being provided to the registered Artisans only and not to the un-registered ones.
The government added that a few new Initiatives have been announced in Budget Speech 2018-19 to further incentivize the Artisans, provide better market support and ensure sustenance of quality in the Handicrafts products. “The Handicrafts units registered with Handicrafts Department shall be considered at par with Industrial units for the purpose of availing incentives under the extent industrial policy,” the Industries Minister stated in the lower house.
It was informed further that Rs. 5.00 Crore each to the Handicraft Department and Handloom Dev. Corporation for raw material and inventory upgradation which will actually reach to the Artisans and Weavers as the inventory is bought from local artisans.