POONCH, OCTOBER 24: Deputy Commissioner Poonch Ashok Kumar Sharma chaired a review meeting of the Handicrafts and Handloom Departments to assess their functioning and scheme implementation and explore measures to strengthen skill development and livelihood opportunities for local artisans and trainees.
Among those present were Assistant Director (Handicrafts/Handloom) Jyoti, Tehsildar (Headquarters) Pallavi Verma, Assistant Handicrafts Training Officers (AHTOs), Junior Craft Instructors and Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) of both departments.
The meeting discussed schemes and initiatives including the Credit Card Scheme (CCS), Karkhanadar Scheme and the functioning of Cooperative Societies, focussing on their effective implementation to support artisans, promote traditional crafts and strengthen the local handicrafts and handloom sectors.
The Handicrafts Department presently runs 13 training centres and the Handloom Department three. These centres impart skills to local youth and preserve the district’s traditional craftsmanship.
The DC called for a more focussed, outcome-oriented approach so that trainees passing out of these centres can access sustainable livelihood opportunities. He stressed linking skill development with income generation, encouraging self-employment and exploring avenues to market and promote locally produced handicraft and handloom products.
Reviewing the Chikri Woodcraft Training Centre, Mr Sharma advised the department to explore other easily available varieties of wood, wherever suitable, to continue training activities and promote the traditional craft. The initiative aims to address raw material availability while sustaining the craft and the livelihoods associated with it.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the officers concerned to make skill development programmes more responsive to the needs of local artisans and aspiring entrepreneurs.
