Srinagar, July 20: A delegation from the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), led by President Javid Ahmad Tenga, met with Giriraj Singh, Minister of Textiles, Government of India, at Udyog Bhawan.
The KCCI team, including Treasurer Zubair Mahajan and Executive Committee Member Shaukat Khan, sought the Minister’s intervention in promoting handicrafts and artisan products and participating in Reverse Buyer Seller Meet (RBSM) events organised by various Export Promotion Councils in India and abroad, the chamber said in a press release issued here.
The KCCI delegation, according to the statement, discussed several key issues, including:
Accreditation of Export Pashmina DNA Testing Lab
The KCCI highlighted the long-pending inauguration of the Pre-Export Pashmina DNA Testing Lab at SKUAST Srinagar. The delegation requested the lab be accredited by NABL and the Wildlife Department at Srinagar/Delhi, where over 95% of Pashmina is manufactured. They said the certification from this lab should be mandatory for customs clearance of export consignments to avoid delays and potential losses for exporters and the artisan community.
ROSCTL and HSN Code for Pashmina valued shawls
The KCCI said that Pashmina and woollen shawls are crucial for providing employment in Jammu & Kashmir. It said there is a discrepancy in the benefits provided under ROSCTL (Reference of State Central Taxes Levies), which replaced the MEIS for shawls, with a cap of Rs 438. The chamber requested a separate HSN code for value-added and Pashmina shawls, which cost significantly more, to ensure adequate benefits for exporters.
Declaration of handicraft clusters in Kashmir districts
The KCCI noted the success of declaring Kanihama village in Budgam District as a Handloom Village. They suggested similar recognition for other areas, particularly the north belt of Kashmir known for handmade silk carpets, to promote the region’s rich handicraft traditions.
Market study tours to Middle East/USA
To further promote exports, the KCCI proposed conducting market study tours to European, Middle Eastern countries, the USA and other regions.
Minister Giriraj Singh appreciated the concerns raised by the KCCI and assured them that these issues would be addressed, the chamber said.
KCCI president expressed gratitude to the Union Minister for his time and invited him to visit Kashmir, where the chamber plans to organise a handicrafts stakeholders’ event. The minister, the KCCI said, accepted the invitation.
