Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday launched QR Code based mechanism, which is first of its kind in the country, for certification and labeling of handmade carpets of J&K.
With the QR-based application, customers can check and verify authenticity and other requisite details of carpets produced in Jammu & Kashmir UT, an official press release said.
Speaking on the occasion, the LG observed that J&K Handicrafts are repository of India’s creative traditions that is serving as a cultural expression for centuries. This creative tradition is strikingly visible in handmade carpets with intricate designs and subtle shades.
“With the help of modern technology, we will be able to standardize uniqueness of handmade carpets & boost exports of J&K’s carpet industry in the international market,” he added.
On the occasion, the LG also felicitated UT’s awardees of Handicrafts & Handloom.
“I truly admire the painstaking work of all the craftsmen and carpet weavers. Government is providing training and financial support to strengthen the priceless artistic and cultural heritage of J&K UT,” he said.
The LG also said that J&K has a unique identity in the global market for handloom and handicraft products. He noted that the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology has taken several important steps for GI certification, testing, labeling and training to promote Kashmiri carpets.
“Government of Jammu and Kashmir has introduced Export Incentive Scheme. Under this scheme, incentive of 10 percent of the total volume of GI certified handicrafts and handloom products exported to any country, with maximum reimbursement upto Rs Five crores, shall be provided to eligible exporters registered with Department of Handicrafts and Handloom,” he added.
The Department of Handicrafts & Handloom and Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT), Srinagar shall launch a massive awareness and promotional campaign within and outside the UT to popularize GI of hand-knotted carpets so that its demand gains popularity across the globe, the LG said.
It was informed that a project has also been completed in association with NIFT Srinagar on innovative and economical packaging of handicraft products.
The LG also informed that presently carpets are being exported from Jammu and Kashmir to at least 25 countries. In 2020-21, carpets worth Rs 115 crore were exported to Germany, Rs 34 crore worth to USA, Rs 36 crore to UAE and Rs 22 crore to Netherlands.
Earlier, Ranjan Prakash Thakur, Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce department briefed the LG about the key features of the QR Code based GI application.
Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Director, Handicrafts & Handlooms Kashmir gave a powerpoint presentation on the background and present scenario of the handmade carpet industry of Jammu & Kashmir, and latest initiatives made by the UT administration to promote it.
Anoo Malhotra, Director, Industries and Commerce, Jammu; Zubair Ahmad, Director, IICT Srinagar; Dr. Javid Ahmad Wani, Director, NIFT Srinagar; Dr. Vikas Gupta, Director, Handicrafts & Handloom, Jammu; Sheikh Ashiq, president, KCCI; Firdous Ahmad Bhat, chairman and Maharaj Krishan Bhat, vice-chairman, Kashmir Carpet Cluster Development Organization, besides other officers and awardees were present on the occasion.
