Chief Minister, in a review meeting of the Corporation, revealed that Himachal Pradesh State Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation carried a record trading of Rs. 1960 lakh during last financial year 2011-12 which was only Rs. 1060.62 lakhs in year 2008-09.
Chief Minister said that Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation was the leading undertaking which had been instrumental in showcasing and trading domestic products of the State in National and International markets. He said that the Corporation had built rapport with the customers keen in purchasing authentic and original Himachali products and artifacts. He said that diversified activities of the Corporation had resulted into increasing the sales of the organization substantially. He said that the Corporation had generated skill in various crafts mainly the production of universally acknowledged Kullu and Kinnauri shawls. He said that the Self Help Groups of weavers and artisans had been formed in Kullu, Chamba, Kangra, Mandi and Kinnaur producing goods on demand basis for International, National and State markets. The Corporation had requisitioned the services of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and National Institute of Designs (NID) in designing products which had benefited the weavers and artisans in co-operative sector, cluster schemes and Self Help Groups immensely.
Chief Minister said that effective initiatives were being taken by the Corporation by organizing Exhibitions, Craft Melas and Buyer-Seller Meets in different parts of the country and abroad as well showcasing products of weavers and artisans of the State. He said that State had participated in the International meets organized in United States of America, United Kingdom and European countries where foreign buyers overwhelmingly showered their appreciation and liking for the state products thereby creating additional income generating avenues to the Corporation. He said that Corporation had been rendering valuable service in generating employment and self-employment avenues to the traditional weavers and artisans at their door steps and providing them marketing facilities at the International level. He said that the objective of constituting a separate Corporation for Handicrafts and Handloom had been to promote traditional avocation of the rural artisans and making the same income generating. He said that the Corporation had lived upto the expectations of the State Government and was likely to overcome its deficit during preceding financial year itself and emerge self sustained.
Chief Minister lauded the corporation for assured earnings from minimum sales guarantee to Rs. 788.57 lakh compared to Rs. 211.05 lakhs in year 2008-09. He said that earnings through exhibitions alone had contributed to the tune of Rs. 155.94 lakh compared to only Rs. 61 lakhs in year 2008-09 besides clearing liabilities to the tune of Rs. 227 lakh till March, 2012. He said that the operational losses which were Rs. 54.74 lakh in year 2008-09 had been minimized to Rs. 3.24 lakh during year 2010-11 and on compilation of final audit and accounts figures the Corporation was likely to earn profit. He congratulated the Management and employees of the Corporation for working hard to bring the Corporation out of the red and inspire others running into losses to put in more labour to earn profit.
Dr. Lalit Mohan, Managing Director, HP State Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation, welcomed the Chief Minister and apprised him of various diversified trading activities of the Corporation. He placed a detailed account of the business activities before the Chief Minister and said that the Corporation had succeeded in meeting its committed liabilities successfully. He said that the Corporation was likely to earn profit from previous financial year onwards. Dr. Arun Sharma, Principal Private Secretary to the Chief Minister was also present in the meeting.
