Srinagar, July 27: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday assured full government support to safeguard and strengthen Kashmir’s cricket bat industry, announcing a series of measures aimed at ensuring sustainable willow supply, improving infrastructure and easing business procedures for manufacturers.
During a visit to the Hallamulla Sangam Industrial Estate in Bijbehara, Omar Abdullah interacted with members of the Cricket Bat Manufacturers Association and said the government would take all necessary steps to address the sector’s concerns, particularly those related to willow availability, uninterrupted power supply and infrastructure support.
Describing the cricket bat industry as one of Jammu & Kashmir’s unique strengths, the Chief Minister said it was supported by locally available raw material, skilled craftsmen and an established market within the country and abroad.
“It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that traditional industries not only survive but flourish for generations to come,” he said, adding that preserving traditional sectors was as important as attracting new industries.
Addressing concerns over declining willow resources, Omar Abdullah said the demand for scientific willow plantation was justified and warned that continuous harvesting without replantation posed a threat to the industry’s future.
He said the government would promote systematic replantation of willow trees and explore improved varieties to ensure a sustainable supply of raw material. The Chief Minister also assured manufacturers that measures would be taken to curb the illegal movement of willow clefts through strengthened monitoring mechanisms and check-posts.
Responding to demands for improved infrastructure, Omar Abdullah said a proposal to enhance electricity supply to the industrial estate would be prepared and taken up with the Power Development Department. He also assured better medical support for workers injured in industrial accidents and said the demand for a dedicated Fire and Emergency Services unit would be addressed.
On the proposed revival of a Common Treatment Facility Centre, the Chief Minister directed the Industries Department and the local MLA to jointly assess the requirement and identify a suitable location.
He further instructed the Industries Department to simplify procedural requirements and remove unnecessary bottlenecks to facilitate the smooth functioning and expansion of the cricket bat industry.
Later, the Chief Minister visited a cricket bat manufacturing unit in the estate, where he observed the process of bat production from willow clefts to finished products. He interacted with workers and artisans and appreciated their craftsmanship and contribution to preserving Kashmir’s globally recognised cricket bat industry.
Members of the Cricket Bat Manufacturers Association raised several issues during the interaction, including sustainable willow plantation, allocation of compartments for willow harvesting, uninterrupted 24×7 power supply through an essential feeder, establishment of a permanent Fire and Emergency Services unit, medical facilities for workers and measures to prevent the illegal movement of willow clefts.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Forest Minister Javed Ahmed Rana, MLA Bijbehara-Srigufwara Dr Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri, Director Industries Kashmir, Chief Executive Officer JKBOCWWB, Director Rakhs and Farms, Director Handloom and Handicrafts, representatives of the Cricket Bat Manufacturers Association and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
