Srinagar, Aug. 12 -- In a major boost to the famed craft sector of Kashmir, the Government of India has sanctioned the establishment of a Craft Tourism Village in Sonpah - the Sozni heartland en route the picturesque Doodhpathri in Budgam District - at a total cost of ?10 crore.

The sanction is accompanied by the release of the first instalment of the Central share of ?4.50 crore by the Union Ministry of Textiles under the flagship National Handicrafts Development Programme's Infrastructure and Technology Support Scheme.

The project will be implemented by the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, with funds routed through the Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India.

In a press release issued here Tuesday, a spokesman...