MoS for adopting modern production, marketing strategies in biz

Reviews performance of HDC, handicraft & handloom dev depts

JAMMU: Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Social Welfare, Health & Medical Education and Power Development Department, Asiea Naqash on Thursday called for adopting new ways and means for the change of course of business from the traditional to modern through innovative methods, adding that it was the only way to revamp the Handloom Development Corporation (HDC).

This she said while reviewing the performance of Handloom Development Corporation (HDC), Handicraft and Handloom Development departments here at meeting of senior functionaries.

According to a handout, the minister reviewed the targets achieved under various schemes and business activities. She discussed in detail the avenues and innovative strategies for further promotion of state’s famous handicraft and handloom.

The minister highlighted the need to adopt modern business strategy to meet out the challenges for promotion of the handicraft and handloom sector, it read.
The officials of HDC gave a resume on the objectives of the corporation, distribution network, product line, assets, sales performance for the last six years,
liabilities, trading policy, besides steps introduced to contain the decline in sales, shift from sale-cum-return policy to direct/own purchase, targeting larger
customer base, differentiating its products and converting off season into productive sales season.

The steps taken for the upgradation of showroom by enhancing capacity presentation and inventory computerisation of sales outlets, renovation of showrooms, relocating of 5 Prthivi Raj Road Branch New Delhi were also listed, it further read.

It was informed that the corporation is working on the Promotion of Geographical Identification (GI) mark Pashmina.

She stated that J&K Handicrafts Corporation has been established for providing market cover to artisans/craft persons of the state. She also said that the handicraft sector cannot survive in the state without revisiting its history, while its sanctity cannot be maintained without linking it with original ethos and Kashmir identity.“Because of inherent resilient character and sanctity attached to it, the corporation has overcome the odds,” she said adding that handicrafts industry which provides livelihood to poor artisans and craft persons of the state “is a trust for posterity”.

She said asked the department to effectively implement the sponsored schemes for the artisans which envisage widening of artisan base by imparting training to
unskilled persons, formation of handicrafts cooperative societies, registration of artisans, provision for financial assistance (under Artisan Credit Card Scheme) to
individual artisans by way of 10% interest subvention on loan up to Rs.1.00 lakh, marketing support to artisan’s societies by organising craft melas, exhibitions in
and outside the state, conducting of awareness camps, the handout read.

Senior functionaries highlighted the functions and schemes of the Handloom Development Department to promote handlooms sector in the state and outside through technology intervention, marketing incentive, design development and quality check, create self employment opportunities through skill development training and providing soft loans to entrepreneurs, provide and expand marketing avenues for handloom weavers and cooperatives, implementation of government of India sponsored schemes like National Handloom Development Programme, 10% Special Rebate on Sale of Handloom Products, Promotion and Market Intervention Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Weavers’ MUDRA Scheme, Welfare Schemes, Education of children scheme, Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana (MGBBY) and Pradhan Mantri Jeevana Yojana (PMJJY).

Source: https://kashmirreader.com/2018/04/13/mos-for-adopting-modern-production-marketing-strategies-in-biz/