The State Government of Jammu & Kashmir (India) is launching an e-commerce platform for artisans and weavers in order to link them and increase exports of handicrafts and handloom products from the state. This was announced by Industries and Commerce Minister Chander Parkash Ganga in the Assembly recently.
The e-commerce platform will also reduce the role of the traders as their presence reportedly increases the exploitation of artisans and weavers.
The Minister also spoke about the success of the Artisan Credit Card (ACC) scheme in the state that is benefiting the weaver community to a great extent by supporting them financially. Ganga mentioned that at least 44,414 artisans have been covered under the policy. Loans to the tune of Rs. 375 crores have been disbursed to artisans until November last year.
Artisans, weavers and members of cooperative societies are offered easy and soft credit alternatives under the ACC scheme. This helps them in initiating their own independent ventures.
Further, financial institutions offer aid in the form of a loan with a ceiling of Rs. 1 lakh to artisans and weavers. There is also a provision of interest subsidy at the rate of 10 per cent on the loan over a period of five years.
Pertinent to mention here that Jammu & Kashmir is a home to around 4 lakh artisans who are engaged in the manufacturing of handicraft goods. Out of the total, 1,67,476 artisans are listed and 2,32,524 are unregistered.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
