The Union Ministry of Textiles has sanctioned ₹ 51.00 lakh for the procurement and distribution of 100 more looms under the ‘Wool Processing Scheme’ of the Central Wool Development Board.

 

Akashvani Jammu Correspondent reports that these Modified Modern Steel Looms are to be distributed amongst the carpet weavers. Each loom costing ₹ 51,000 has been specially designed by the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT), Srinagar, which provides a suitable back-rest and comfort seating arrangement for the weavers. Director IICT, Srinagar, Zubair Ahmad, thanked the Ministry of Textiles for sanctioning an additional 100 Modified Modern Steel Carpet Looms amongst the active weavers for the current financial year 2025-26.

 

He said these looms are modified, keeping in view the health concerns of the weavers, who sit for long hours for weaving the world-famous hand-knotted Kashmir carpets. He further said that the Ministry of Textiles has already released the first tranche of ₹ 30.60 lakh for the procurement of the looms. “Once the UC for the first instalment is issued, the remaining two instalments shall also be released for procurement and distribution of looms amongst the intended beneficiaries,” he added.

 

The Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, has advised the interested carpet weavers to approach the offices of the Assistant Director Handicrafts/Handloom, in the Kashmir Division, for the completion of the requisite formalities.