Naveed Ul Haq Ganaiee

Jammu, Feb 13 : The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday informed the House that 559 Elementary and Advanced Training Centres are currently functional across the Union Territory to impart basic and advanced craft skills in various trades.

Replying to a question tabled by MLA Chadoora Ali Mohammad Dar regarding the welfare of artisans, the government, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the Department is operating training centres to strengthen skill development in the handicrafts and handloom sector.

The government said that in Budgam district alone, 1,920 artisans and weavers were covered under the Credit Card Scheme for Artisans & Weavers in 2024-25, with Rs: 197.23 lakh disbursed as interest subvention, while 2,015 beneficiaries were covered in 2025-26, with Rs: 96.56 lakh disbursed.

Under the Karkhandar Scheme, eight units were established in Budgam during the two years, benefiting 88 artisans, with Rs: 9.196 lakh disbursed in the form of stipends and honoraria.

The government further said that Rs: 49 lakh was released under the Financial Assistance Scheme for Handicrafts & Handloom Cooperatives/SHGs across various blocks of Budgam during 2024-25 and 2025-26.

It also informed that Rs: 45.25 lakh was disbursed as rental support for housing Handicrafts and Handloom Training Centres in Budgam during the two financial years.

Regarding the establishment of a GI certification laboratory in Budgam, the government said centralized testing and certification facilities are presently available in Srinagar, and there is no proposal under consideration to decentralize the GI certification process.— (KNO)