Pulwama, Feb 11: The Handicrafts Department of district Pulwama today organized a one-day ‘Artisan Awareness Camp cum Registration Mela’ at the Town Hall, Awantipora.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Awantipora was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

During the camp, various officers of the District Administration and bankers highlighted the welfare schemes launched by the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for the “overall benefit of artisan fraternity.”

While addressing the gathering, the ADC said that the objective of organizing the camp was to make artisans aware of various welfare programmes and schemes of the department.

He appealed to the artisan fraternity to come forward and get themselves registered with the department to avail the benefits of various government sponsored welfare schemes for their economic well being.

On the occasion, the Assistant Director Handicrafts, Pulwama briefed the attendees about the various activities being carried out by the department to cater to the problem of unemployment. He informed that at present, 454 trainees are undergoing training in different traditional crafts in 20 training centers run by the Directorate of Handicrafts.

The AD further informed that eight training centers have been sanctioned by the District Administration with intake capacity of 10 trainees in each center under Back to Village Programme. He added that 1070 artisans have been registered by the office during the current financial year in different crafts, highest since the inception of the programme. 

He expressed his gratitude for the support provided by worthy District Development Commissioner Pulwama Dr. Raghav Langer for “upliftment of handicrafts industry in the district and efforts to provide market facilities for artisans.”

Tehsildar Awantipora, BDO Awantipora, Zonal Head J&K Bank and Nodal officer JKEDI besides representatives from other departments were present on the occasion.