SRINAGAR: To curb the menace of passing on fake handicrafts in place of genuine art and craft and to check the implementation of the Jammu & Kashmir Tourist Trade Act 1978, Jammu & Kashmir Handicrafts Quality Control Act, a special inspection drive of Handicrafts dealers operating in the tourist areas of Pahalgam, Chandenwari, Akad, Aru, Narbal, Kunzer, Dhobiwan, Chandiloora, Tangmarg and Gulmarg tourist areas was conducted by the Quality Control Division of Handicrafts & Handloom (H&H) Department.
During the course of the inspection, the handicraft dealers found violating the norms of the said acts were penalized and an amount of Rs 43000 was realized as a fine from the erring dealers.
The dealers were strictly warned to desist from the sale of fake machine-made lookalikes of Kashmir art products and advised to affix tags depicting price and composition on each item displayed for sale. They were strictly warned to refrain from any kind of malpractice such as touting and impersonation, which carries huge penalties under the said acts.
The dealers were also apprised about the benefits of the GI tagging on the notified Kashmir Crafts, and the impact of such tagging in building the brand image of Kashmir Arts products. The certification and authenticity will also help in eradicating the menace of machine-made and misbranding of Kashmir art products. The Handicraft dealers and other stakeholders are accordingly advised to play their role in promoting the GI tagging on the notified Kashmir Crafts.
Also, the inspection team interacted with the visiting tourists who were informed to ensure the purchase of only genuine handicraft items especially GI-tagged notified Kashmir Art products from such handicrafts business establishments which are registered with the Directorate Of Handicrafts & Handloom. They should also seek from the dealer, cash memos for every purchase and retain/preserve a copy of the same for any future use.
