KASHMIR Handicraft Workers and Artisans Union held a day long convention at Srinagar on August 25 in which hundreds of workers and artisans participated. Participants were very enthusiastic and there was a sizable number of women workers and artisans. The convention demanded revival and modernisation of the age old and traditional handicrafts of Kashmir.

While addressing the convention, state president of CITU and MLA, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami exhorted the government and demanded the issue of registration cards to all the workers actually engaged in trade and removal of the condition of age bar for the purpose. He said if the government, for any reason, cannot issue cards to handicraft workers who have crossed 60 years age, it should then sanction substantial pension and other benefits to the aged and sick artisans. The registered artisans should receive welfare benefits at par with the card holder labourers.

Tarigami also demanded the early release of the subsidy amount in favour of the handicraft workers. The money he said, has not been released by the government so far.

President of the union, Nisar Ahmad highlighted the importance of handicrafts and cottage industry in the state’s economy and its potential to generate employment without harming the fragile environment and ecology of the state especially, the valley of Kashmir.

Aijaz Ahmad, general secretary stressed on the present government to take immediate and effective measures for improving the lot of artisans like shawl workers, copper weavers, wood work artisans, embroidery and crewel workers. In addition to those engaged in the production of leather goods, paper machie and other craft persons need to be provided all the basis facilities including financial support, easy loans with subsidy, latest equipments and marketing facility. Government should intervene and put an end to exploitation by the middle men who at present are the real beneficiaries while the workers are not able to have basic amenities and live a dignified life.

Tarigami, Nisar Ahmad, Aijaz Ahmad and other leaders who addressed the convention described the world famous Kashmiri handicrafts as a symbol of Kashmir identity which needs to be preserved, developed and encouraged. They pointed out that the flood affected artisans have not been provided financial support till date. They also demanded loan waiver to artisans at par with the Kisan Credit Card holders.

In the convention, the members remembered and paid tributes to the artisans who were killed on April 29, 1865 at Zaldagar Srinagar as they protested against the very high taxation, exploitation and cruel behaviour by the then autocratic rulers. The convention resolved to launch a sustained and forceful struggle for the achievement of their genuine rights and bringing back the golden days for the handicraft sector as it flourished during the reign of  Zainul Abideen ‘Bud Shah’.