Srinagar: The Handloom weaver community has strongly opposed the merger of the Handloom Department with the Handicrafts Department, while condemning EJAC on supporting merger, arguing that it has severely impacted the sector’s growth and sustainability.
Handloom weaver Ghulam Jeelani told news agency JKNS that, “Handloom requires a specialized approach to compete with the mill and textile industries,” saying that without corrective action, the centuries-old tradition of handloom craftsmanship could face extinction.
Merger of Handloom with handicrapfts department is having no sense, we are suffering from it. Let government show us four or one single benefit of thia meger if they don’t, let them listen to our ten losses with this merger.
Jeelani said that we are expecting government will walk the talk on there promisses.
Another weaver, Muhammad Amin, highlighted the crucial role of the Handloom Department, established in 1977 under the leadership of Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
He said the merger has diluted the focus on handloom, leaving weavers struggling.
He also condemned the Employees Joint Action Committee’s (EJAC) demand for completing the merger, stating, “EJAC, as an employee association, has no jurisdiction over the department dedicated to the welfare of weavers and has ignored the real issues faced by the handloom sector.”
The community has called on the government to reverse the decision and restore the Handloom Department as a separate entity to preserve the legacy of handloom craftsmanship. (JKNS)
