Jammu, Feb 14: A standing committee of Legislative Council Thursday called for launching silk mission on the pattern of horticulture mission to tap the huge potential of silkworm rearing in the state.
 The Departmental Related Standing Committee on Industries and Commerce, which met here today under the Chairmanship of MLC Ravinder Kumar Sharma, said that to exploit the available potential to the full, need of the hour was to constitute Counselling Guide and Consultancy Wing with the involvement of experts from different fields.
 Legislators, Nizamu-u-din Khatana, Syeed Rafiq Ahmad Shah, Bashir Ahmad Magray and Ali Muhammad Dar stressed for identification of establishment of small scale industrial units in the State especially in Rajouri, Poonch and other hilly and remote areas to benefit the unemployed youth of these areas, an official statement said.
 Threadbare discussion was held on progress and achievements of various wings of Industries and Commerce department including Khadi and Village Industry, SIDCO, Handicrafts, Handloom and SICOP, it said.
 The panel took serious note of delay in submission of questionnaire called by the Committee and asked the concerned to look into the matter and fix responsibility against the erring official.
 The Committee, the statement added, directed the Industries and Commerce authorities to ensure quality control of the products through the experts for competing in the market. It said that the economic empowerment of artisans is purely incidental to the quality of the product.
 The panel was informed that 15 exhibitions were held this fiscal where in 900 artisans participated and displayed their products. The Committee sought detailed report about the number of carpet units and tribal schemes in vogue for the security of the Committee members.
 Earlier, Commissioner/Secretary, I&C, Shantmanu briefed the Committee about the activities of various wings of the department. The meeting was attended by the Director, Industries Jammu G. A. Quershi, Director Geology and Mining, Farooq Ahmad Khan, Director Carpet Industries, Zubair Ahmad, Director Handloom Development Department, D. R. Sharma, Managing Director, SIDCO Muhammad Muazzam, MD, JKHDL B. S. Dua, Deputy Secretary Legislative Council Muhammad Maqbool Bhat and other offices of I & C department besides officers from Council Secretariat.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 14 Feb 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:00:00 IST