1. Up-gradation of Laboratory for GI Certification.
The necessary up-gradation of existing laboratory by way of procurement of different testing equipments, Development of Online Cloud based QR Management System alongwith procurement of specialized destructible nano particles technology based labels required for testing, certification and labeling of hand-knotted carpets under GI Act is in progress.
The Institute shall be introducing QR Code mechanism, first of its kind in the Country, for the purpose of Certification& labeling of Hand-knotted Carpets produced in Kashmir under Geographical Indication of Goods Act 1999.
By virtue of this QR Code mechanism, the customer would be able to check and verify requisite details of carpet with the help of smart phone before purchasing the same just to confirm its genuineness/authenticity along with other related parameters of carpets.
The Publicity and Promotion for GI certified carpets has just been undertaken. Under which, in the first instance, all the carpet weavers/manufacturers and exporters have been advised through different modes of communication to get themselves registered as Authorized Users with GI Registry, Chennai so that they become eligible for GI Certification of carpets at IICT.
2. Development of New Design Package
With a view to address technical and compatibility issues of existing Design Package and to have better outreach of such package in the rural areas for saving precious time of concerned stakeholders, it has been decided by the Governing Body of the Institute to develop a new design package.
The Institute in collaboration with National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), Srinagar is in the process of development of a unique web based design package for the Industry.
With the help of this package a person sitting hundreds of Kilometers away from IICT shall be able to use Design Software at any place for which he will be provided Login / Password by the institute after his registration.
3. Registration of different Products/Items under G.I of Goods Act, 1999.
The Institute in collaboration with Handicrafts and Handloom Department (Kashmir) is in the process of Registration of 07 products / items namely Namdha, Gabba, Shikara, Bat, Waguv, Crewel and Chain Stitch under Geographical Indication of Goods Act, 1999.
The project work has been assigned to National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Srinagar for conducting necessary research for preparation of comprehensive documentation reports for each product. It is expected that GI application of all the products alongwith all supporting documents will be submitted in the office of GI Registry at Chennai for the purpose of their GI Registration during the current financial year only.
4. Packaging of Handicrafts and Handloom Products
With a view to introduce innovative and affordable Packaging for Handicrafts and Handloom products produced in Jammu and Kashmir, the Institute has undertaken a project in collaboration with National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).
In the first instance products already registered under GI Act namely Paper Machie, Shawls, Carpets, Khatamband and Tweed have been shortlisted for Packaging and the work is in progress and the necessary work in respect of final registration of prototype of different materials of making for these crafts is in progress.
It is expected that Packaging for these crafts shall be ready by December 2021./span>
5. Setting up of Common Facility Centre (CFC) for Dyeing of Raw Material
The Institute shall be establishing a Dye House for dyeing of silk and woolen yarn in the hank form alongwith different types of fabrics.
After necessary repairing work/renovation in the existing building in the campus of the Institute, Plant and Machinery such as Dyeing Machines of different capacities, Water Softening Plant, Dyers, Hydro-extractors, Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), Boiler etc. shall be set up in the Common Facility Centre.
6. Utilization of Local Wool for Hand-knotted Carpets
The Institute after necessary research/study has been able to finalize sample of locally available woolen yarn for handknotted carpets.
For the purpose of demonstration and with a view to observe the quality of carpet with local wool, a carpet with 6×9 (14/14) is being manufactured at the Institute at present. The overall quality of woolen carpet has been observed very good and recently a leading carpet manufacturer has shown interest in utilizing this wool for introducing woolen carpets with low knottage in the Industry.
7. Setting Up of 02 Micro Carpet Clusters
The National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment , Govt. of India has approved 02 micro projects, with 20 artisans each, belonging to Backward Class and Economically Backward Classes Categories in Bandipora and Anantnag districts.
Under this project, in addition to Skill Up-gradation training on Silk Carpet Weaving, 05 Modern Carpet Looms alongwith Sitting Benches, Raw Material, Working Tools and other necessary accessories/items shall be provided free of cost to concerned members of Industrial Cooperative.
Further, with a view to provide better working conditions to the concerned beneficiaries a Big Hall installed with Modern Carpet Looms whose monthly rentals for a period of 03 years shall be paid under the project, shall also be made available to the concerned beneficiaries .
8. Utilization of locally available natural resources for natural dyeing
The Institute in collaboration with National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology (NINFET) Kolkata, will soon be starting a research project on utilization of Natural Resources for the purpose of natural dyeing of different types of raw materials used in Handicrafts and Handloom sector.
The necessary research on natural resources like, Saffron Flower, Walnut husk, Pomegranate peels, Onion Skins, Chinar leaves, Dal weed, Lotus leaves, Almond hull shall be undertaken under the project and it will involve following process:
