Handicraft workers demand comprehensive relief package

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 12

The Kashmir Handicraft Workers and Artisans Union here today staged a protest in support og their demand for a comprehensive relief package for the artisans of the Valley.

The protestors gathered at the Press Enclave here and raised slogans in favour of their demands. The artisans alleged that they had been neglected by the government.

Nisar Ahmad, president of the union, told reporters that thousands of families were directly or indirectly dependant on the handicrafts sector and the government should announce a “comprehensive relief package” in their favour.

“Our units suffered heavy loss during the last year September floods. Though some sections received financial assistance to restart their business, several poor handicraft workers and artisans have been conveniently ignored,” said Nisar.

He claimed that the interest subsidy on the loans advanced to them had also not been released till date. “The government also did not fulfill its commitment to raise the amount of loan advanced under artisans’ credit card scheme from Rs 90,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh,” Nisar said.

He appealed to Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to look into their demands and initiate steps to resolve them at the earliest.