Strict action for selling fake items under guise of Kashmiri handicrafts

Budgam, Aug 19: Director of Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir, Mussarat Zia on Tuesday said that strict action will be taken against showrooms misleading customers by selling machine-made products under the guise of genuine Kashmiri handmade items. Speaking to the media in Sonpah village, Mussarat Zia said that the Government of India, through the Ministry of Textiles, has approved one of the Detailed Project Reports (DPR) under its craft tourism village scheme, which is part of the National Handicrafts Development Programme’s Infrastructure and Technology Support Scheme. The total project cost amounts to Rs 10 crore, with a central share of Rs 9 crore and a UT share of Rs 9 crore. The approval includes the release of the first installment of Rs 4.50 crore.”The land for this initiative has already been identified in Sonpah village, where the project will be implemented, and all necessary infrastructure will be developed. Work on this project will commence shortly. I express my gratitude to the Deputy Commissioner of Budgam, SDM Beerwah, and Tehsildar Beerwah for their prompt identification of the land for this project. Following the Kanihama craft tourism village, Sonpah has now been designated as another craft tourism village,” he said.Mussarat Zia said that a proposal is being prepared for a craft tourism village where carpets are produced by artisans in the Bandipora and Budgam districts. These villages will also receive approval under the craft tourism village initiative, similar to the proposal prepared for Sonpah village, which has also been sanctioned.”Notices have already been issued to the registered showrooms of Kashmir handicrafts, instructing them to remove machine-made products from their displays, as a time frame has been provided to all showrooms. In the second phase, inspections are being conducted in collaboration with our quality control division. In case we found any machine-made products being sold under the guise of Kashmiri handicrafts, stringent measures will be enforced against those showrooms,”   Director Handicrafts said.He said, “We possess three testing laboratories where all types of Kashmiri handmade products are evaluated. Additionally, we are set to upgrade all three testing labs, as the Government of India has approved and allocated a budget of Rs 3 crore. We are currently in the process of acquiring new machinery for these testing facilities.””All artisans, stakeholders, and dealers involved in the marketing of Kashmiri shawls and carpets must ensure that a QR Code is affixed before selling to customers. This QR Code will provide customers with essential information regarding these Kashmiri handmade products, thereby enhancing customer confidence through this initiative,” said Mussarat Zia.