Carpet weavers to get modified steel looms with comfort seating

In order to provide comfortable seating arrangement and improve the quality of hand-knotted carpets, the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) is going to distribute modified modern steel carpet looms to active weavers registered with the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir.

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The draw of lots for selecting 100 carpet weavers from amongst the intended beneficiaries shall be held at IICT, Nowshera, on February 18.

Sharing details through a press statement issued today, Director IICT, Srinagar, Zubair Ahmad, said the Central Wool Development Board, Union Ministry of Textiles, has sanctioned distribution of 100 modified modern steel looms amongst active carpet weavers at a total cost of Rs 43.70 lakh under its ‘Wool Processing Scheme’ for the current financial year 2024-25.

“The looms have been designed and modified by IICT, keeping in view the health of the weavers, who sit for hours together for weaving of the world-famous hand-knotted Kashmir carpets,” he said, adding that the department intends to provide such modified looms to all active carpet weavers in a phased manner.

The new modified looms are set to replace the traditional wooden carpet looms, which resulted in many health-related issues, particularly acute back pain to weavers due to uncomfortable posturing.

IICT Director further advised all concerned beneficiaries to report at IICT premises at Nowshera for participation in the draw of lots, scheduled at 11 am on February 18, so that 100 beneficiaries are selected in a fair and transparent manner.