Ban on shahtoosh ‘unwarranted’

Ban on shahtoosh ‘unwarranted’
BILAL HUSSAIN
Srinagar, June 21: The local industrialists today demanded lifting of ban on shahtoosh. The industrialists raised this demand at a meeting with Union Minister for Textiles, Shankersinh Vaghela. The meeting held under the aegis of Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir discussed the proposal of revival of industry with the union minister. Giving details of the meeting president FCIK, Syed Shakeel Qalander told Greater Kashmir that the federation members apprised the union minister of the problems J&K faces on account of its “isolation, backwardness, poor connectivity, and rising unemployment.” He said the incessant incertitude prevailing in the state for almost two decades now has added to the miseries of people. The FCIK, Qalandar said, informed the minister that the ban on the manufacture and trade of Shahtoosh is unwarranted as “no the notion created about the killing of Tibetan antelopes was totally false.” He said the animal during the summer due to heat rubs itself with the bushes in the higher altitudes in Leh. “Later that wool is collected and weaved by the artisans. As such the textile ministry is duty bound to remove the false propaganda and protect this finest woolen article from going into extinction.” Qalander said the union minister had a positive view on the issue. Union Minster, according to Qalandar, said the state government should formally write to New Delhi seeking review the case. Qalandar said the handicraft industry, given its enormous potential, is one of the main drivers of the economic development in Kashmir. “It deserves an overall and focused attention from the economists, policymakers, financial institutions, banks, other relevant agencies as well as the civil society,” he said. Qalandar said it was unfortunate that over the years the handicraft sector has witnessed drastic reduction in its workforce. He said from approximately 15 lakh artisans in 1970s the figure has gone down to less than 3 lakh at present, and decreased the production in carpet, shawls, silk textiles, crewel cloth, et al. “The reasons behind the decrease in employment and production in the handicraft sector could be attributed to the reason that the artisans who crafted the articles through involvement of their skill and great sense did not get adequate returns for sustenance,” he said. In order to bring the handicraft back its pristine glory, the FCIK asked for some initiatives from union textile ministry. The FCIK demanded grant of scheme for Integrated Textile Parks. “We are aware that Ministry of textiles provides grant support for establishment of textile parks under the SITP, and one such park for J&K is under its consideration,” he said. The units engaged in production of textile items in Kashmir are very small, decentralized and operate as cottage industries. The need of the hour is to organize them in specific locations supported by good quality infrastructure in the form of industrial parks, he said.