The JK Handicrafts (Sales & Export) Corporation (JKHC) has achieved sales worth Rs 2.6 crore during the first quarter of the current financial year.

This was stated at the 122nd Board of Directors meeting of the Corporation held at Civil Secretariat under the chairmanship of Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Prakash Ganga.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of the Board and Minister for Industries & Commerce, Chander Prakash Ganga said the Corporation must produce results and asked to evaluate the progress of Corporation after every three months.

The Board observed the Corporation is running in deficit and emphasised the importance of increasing the revenue generated by it. The Board also set a sales target of Rs 20 crore to be achieved by the Corporation for the current financial year.

To help with publicity of its products, the Managing Director (MD) of the Corporation was asked to initiate coordination with the state’s Tourism Department.

The MD was also asked to find out the reasons for the Corporation’s slow business at most of its 18 handicrafts showrooms located at prime locations across the country and suggested corrective measures in this regard. The Board also directed for looking into the work of sales persons working for the Corporation at its showrooms.

The Board also directed the Corporation to ensure all its showrooms remain open until late in the evening to tap into the market of dusk shoppers. It decided that surprise inspections of showrooms will be taken as the norm from here on.

The meeting also discussed alternative means of increasing the Corporation’s business. It sought a proposal for setting up showrooms boasting handicrafts, handloom and silk products all under one roof in this regard.

The meeting also discussed the enhancement of budgetary support sought from the government as well as the support for the Corporation from the PM’s TAMEIR Plan 2015-2020.

The meeting also discussed the proposed business plan for the next five years. The Board said the proposal must be self-sustainable and profitable and asked the Corporation to revisit the plan in consultation with the Vice Chairman of the Corporation.

The Board also observed that the Corporation needs enlargement of its inventory and hence infusion of capital. It also agreed that the proposal for incentives needs revising.

Vice Chairman JKHC, Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce Department, Shailendra Kumar, Managing Director JKHC, Ishtiaq Hussain Drabu, Director Handicraft J&K, Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad, among other Board members were present in the meeting.

Guest