Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for the construction of a Café House and the renovation of the existing Guesthouse at the Government Silk Weaving Factory, Rajbagh, Srinagar, a unit of Jammu and Kashmir Industries Limited (JKI). The initiative is aimed at modernising the premises and giving a new lease of life to one of the Valley’s best known silk establishments.
MLA Lal Chowk Ahsan Pardesi, the Commissioner Secretary of the Industries and Commerce Department and senior officers of the department were present at the ceremony.
The project is being executed by the J&K Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Limited (JK SICOP). It is designed to improve the overall ambience of the factory complex and to create additional facilities for visitors and stakeholders. Officials expect the new infrastructure to generate extra revenue for JKI, contributing to its financial sustainability and institutional revival, a goal that has gained urgency as public sector undertakings across the Union Territory are being encouraged to become more self-sufficient.
During his visit, the Deputy Chief Minister inspected the JKI showroom at the premises, where a range of products made from renowned mulberry silk and local wool are on display. He appreciated the quality, design and originality of the items on show and commended JKI for preserving traditional skills, particularly those associated with Kashmiri mulberry silk, a craft that has defined the region’s textile reputation for generations.
Addressing the gathering, Choudhary said the project reflects the government’s commitment to modernising and optimally utilising existing industrial assets, strengthening public sector undertakings and exploring avenues for revenue generation through the productive use of available resources. He urged JKI officials to work with dedication towards raising production and sales, and stressed that the promotion of local crafts is vital for economic growth and employment generation in Jammu and Kashmir.
MLA Ahsan Pardesi underlined the importance of preserving and upgrading the infrastructure of the Government Silk Weaving Factory, given its role in promoting the region’s traditional silk industry and safeguarding the rich textile heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Commissioner Secretary of the Industries and Commerce Department said employees play a crucial role in shaping the future of any organisation. He urged JKI staff to work with integrity and a strong sense of responsibility, observing that such conduct would contribute to the growth of the industrial sector and the prosperity of society.
The Managing Director of JKI, the Managing Director of JK SICOP, the Director Finance and the Director Planning of the Industries and Commerce Department, besides other senior officers, were also present on the occasion.
The Café House and refurbished Guesthouse are expected to turn the Rajbagh factory into a more welcoming destination for tourists, buyers and heritage enthusiasts, linking the production floor with hospitality and retail in a single campus.
