Editorial
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| | Interest free loans for artisans | | The entire process needs to be institutionalized for arts and crafts producers in J&K | | | The manner in which interest free loans are being extended to the artisans in Jammu and Kashmir, the government does not appear to be serious in institutionalizing the process in the larger interest of the people connected with this trade. It is only in the recent past that the state government has thought of providing loans to the artisans for helping them to continue with the production of art and crafts products so that they can raise their income levels. The process appears to be more of a knee-jerk reaction and piece meal introduction of schemes for the artisans. The government has failed to recognize the potential of these people in contributing to over Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of the state. If proper marketing facilities are provided to them at the national and international level, the products can do wonders in earning money for the artisans and the state. Apart from this, the occasional festivals have sometimes only contributed to disappointment among the arts and crafts material producers. Since they are from the cottage industries sector, individual financing becomes a problem for them and they are in the process looted by the money-lenders. This was the main reason why the government wanted the banks to resort to micro-financing for the farmers and the artisans so that they can be saved from the money lenders. It is a fit case for study by the financial institutions to make recommendations in the interest of poor people who always fall short of working capital for producing arts and crafts material for earning a livelihood and translating their skills into finished products ready for sale in the market. The government needs to institutionalize this process for extending benefits to the artisans who in the process will earn money for the state. |
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