SRINAGAR: In a move aimed at curbing unfair trade practices, the Department of Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir, on Friday issued a notice giving registered Kashmir handicraft dealers a seven-day ultimatum to remove all machine-made products—mostly imported from Turkey and Iran—from their showrooms. Failing compliance, the department warned of blacklisting and deregistration under relevant provisions of law.
The notice reads, “You have been granted registration under the provisions of the Jammu & Kashmir Tourist Trade Act, 1978, for the sale of Kashmir handicraft products at your respective showrooms/outlets.” As part of the registration process, dealers had submitted sworn affidavits undertaking to exclusively display and sell genuine Kashmir handicraft products.”
The notice further stated that recent inspections revealed violations by several dealers, who were found displaying and selling machine-made products misrepresented as authentic Kashmir handicrafts. Such acts, the department said, undermine the authenticity and reputation of Kashmir’s traditional crafts.
An official spokesman of the Handicrafts & Handloom Department said penalties have already been imposed on defaulting dealers under the Tourist Trade Act. He added that the Director of Handicrafts and Handloom, Director IICT, and the Quality Control Inspection Squad recently visited showrooms in city areas like Nishat, Nehru Park, and Munawarabad. Dealers were warned to immediately remove machine-made products or face blacklisting and deregistration.
The notice also cited violations of G I labelling norms. Many Kashmir handicrafts are registered under the Geographical Indication of Goods Act with the Registry of India in Chennai to protect their origin and quality. The department has introduced G.I.-based QR labelling for various crafts through PTQCC, IICT, and Quality Control Labs.
It was revealed that a dealer had affixed a fake QR label on a machine-made carpet, misrepresenting it as a handmade product. That dealer has since been blacklisted and deregistered, the notice said.
All registered dealers have been directed to ensure that, within seven days of the notice, their showrooms display only genuine Kashmir handicrafts and remove all machine-made products. They have also been instructed to keep all relevant documents, including G.I. certification, readily available for inspection.
The notice added that selling or displaying machine-made products in showrooms registered under handicraft or handloom categories is banned. Any violation, including misbranding or use of fake QR codes or removal of original machine-made labels, will invite action under the Quality Control Act, J&K Tourist Trade Act, G.I. Act, and the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Failure to comply will lead to penalties, blacklisting, deregistration, or other legal action, the department said.
The notice also advised all unregistered craft dealers and hawkers involved in the business of Kashmir handicrafts to approach the Quality Control Division for registration under the J&K Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1978.
