The Union Textiles Secretary Neelam Shami Rao on Tuesday said the central government will explore establishing a vibrant testing and certification system to promote high-end handicrafts and handloom products of Jammu and Kashmir emphasising that a strong testing and certification system will help eliminate counterfeit products, boost exports, and safeguard the unique identity of Kashmiri crafts. She has instructed the concerned to submit a proposal in this regard to the Union government.
Testing and certification system is what Jammu and Kashmir needs desperately because while Kashmir’s handmade products are showing promising trends in international market and expectations are that the sector is to grow further in coming days, some disturbing news is emerging from the ground suggesting that some unscrupulous elements are out to defame the sector by selling machine-made items as hand-made.
It may be recalled here that Srinagar was officially recognised as a World Craft City by the World Crafts Council in 2024. Srinagar’s crafts continue to flourish and captivate the world with their beauty and craftsmanship and the recognition had come following Srinagar’s recognition as a UNESCO Creative City for Crafts in 2021. The recognition highlights Srinagar’s rich cultural heritage, particularly its traditional crafts like Kashmiri carpets, Pashmina shawls, paper-mache and wood carving. This international recognition has led to increased interest from those interested in exploring and purchasing authentic local crafts and thus enhanced marketability of Srinagar’s crafts globally. However, there are some greedy traders who are out to defame the trade by indulging in fake items. Some unscrupulous traders are making use of fake GI labels on machine-made carpets and selling them as hand made.
While the concerned authorities should gear up and carry frequent inspections of showrooms and shops, dealing in Kashmir’s handicraft, the concerned department should come up with a detailed project regarding testing and certification, as directed by the Union Secretary and submit the same to the Union government without any delay. Besides, the authorities should ensure that the artisans too get benefitted and abide by the directions of the Union Secretary to ensure maximum coverage of artisans under pension schemes, PF/ESIC registration, and scholarship benefits for their children as welfare of artisans is paramount for the growth of textile sector.
While on one hand Kashmiri handicrafts are showing a promising trend in international market, the fakes are going to bring a bad name to the trade and the traders. The government authorities should strengthen the quality check mechanism and those genuinely affiliated with the trade too should keep an eye on their surroundings and help the authorities to identify and isolate the cheaters.