NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 20(NVI):The Handicrafts and Handloom Department of Kashmir has issued a stern warning to showroom owners dealing in craft products to immediately stop selling machine-made items under the guise of genuine handmade Kashmir handicrafts.
The department has vowed to take strict action under the Tourist Trade and Quality Control Acts against violators.
According to an official press statement, the department has received multiple complaints regarding the sale of machine-made Turkish carpets to unsuspecting tourists, falsely branded as authentic Kashmir hand-knotted carpets. This malpractice has been tarnishing the reputation of Kashmir’s rich heritage.
In response, the Central Inspection Squad from the department’s Quality Control wing has intensified inspections across prominent locations, including Srinagar City Centre, and health resorts such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam. Several showrooms have already been inspected, with unlabelled machine-made products confiscated during the raids.
To safeguard Kashmir’s cultural heritage and promote the sale of genuine handmade products, the department has urged stakeholders to avail of GI tagging, testing, and certification services at the Craft Development Institute (CDI) and the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT). These steps are aimed at ensuring customer satisfaction while preserving the authenticity of Kashmir’s exquisite artistry.
The department is also ramping up efforts to increase the testing and certification capacity of handmade products, particularly through the Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre at CDI. Additionally, various Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns are being conducted at both local and national levels, encouraging customers to purchase only labelled, certified handmade products.
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to protecting the legacy of Kashmir’s handicrafts while ensuring fair trade practices in the Valley. (News Vibes of India)
