NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 19(NVI): The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fiercely opposed the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) hike on Kashmiri shawls, which aims to raise the tax rate from 12% to a staggering 28%.
Senior PDP leader and former minister Naeem Akhtar has warned that this drastic increase would spell economic disaster for Kashmir’s already struggling handicraft sector and its artisans, who rely on the ancient craft of shawl-making to survive.
Akhtar sated that the proposed tax hike is an assault on the centuries-old tradition of shawl weaving in Kashmir, a craft that has been passed down through generations and forms a critical part of the region’s cultural identity. He pointed out that this heritage has survived through tumultuous periods, but the current taxation proposal threatens to push it to the brink of collapse. “The skillful hands of Kashmiri weavers create masterpieces that are admired globally. This hike is not just an economic blow—it’s a deliberate attempt to erase the very fabric of our heritage,” Akhtar stated.
He warned that such a sharp increase in taxation would make Kashmiri shawls unaffordable, leading to widespread job losses, economic hardship, and the potential destruction of a key sector of the region’s economy. Akhtar drew historical parallels to the despotic Maharaja era, where shawl makers were heavily taxed, leading to their exploitation. He questioned whether the government’s decision was a conscious effort to plunge Kashmir deeper into economic crisis.
The PDP leader has called on the government to immediately roll back the proposed tax hike, stressing that the livelihoods of thousands of artisans and their families depend on the survival of the shawl industry. Akhtar further added that the craft of shawl making is not just an industry but a vital part of Kashmir’s cultural identity and creative genius.
In his statement, Akhtar invoked the words of renowned poet Allama Iqbal, calling for the preservation of this heritage, urging the government to act swiftly to protect the artisans who, with their delicate craft, continue to contribute to Kashmir’s legacy while facing growing challenges. (News Vibes of India)
