Impact of turmoil on the handicraft sector of Jammu and Kashmir: An economic analysis

Abstract

The handicrafts of Jammu and Kashmir (J & K), namely, shawls, namdhas, wooden art-ware, papier-mache, crewel embroidery etc. are well known, yet the export from this sector has been of an average of around Rs. 20 crore per annum. However, the handicraft industry occupies an important position in the economy of J & K, which provides a gainful employment to more than 3 lakh people and too has the potential to generate more employment in near future. In absence of large scale industries in the State, handicrafts remained a key economic activity from times immemorial. Due to the instable political conditions and turmoil in the state, the performance of this sector got deteriorated. As per regression analysis the output of the sector has declined to a large extent. In this background, the paper will highlight the various aspects of turmoil on the handicraft sector of the state during the reference period. Key words: Turmoil, potential markets, militancy, economic setbacks, handicraft exports.