The department of Handicrafts and Handloom has pledged to intensify its efforts to halt the sale of machine-made goods masquerading as authentic handmade Kashmir crafts.
Director Mussarat ul Islam has pledged swift action after receiving multiple complaints of exploitation, ensuring tourists and buyers only purchase of genuine products.
Islam said “We have taken cognizance of these complaints and conducted thorough inspections of dealers and showrooms. Several machine-made products have been seized, and we are committed to ensuring that only genuine handmade items are sold to customers,” said Islam, who joined the department a month ago.
The department has ramped up its efforts by collaborating with associations, stakeholders, and the Quality Control Wing. Several meetings have been held to intensify inspection drives and issue advisories to all dealers, showroom owners, and registrants under the Tourist Trade Act.
Islam stressed that strict action would be taken against those found exploiting the industry, including the cancellation of registration certificates under the Quality Control Act. “We are working to ensure that our world-famous export industry remains protected and that customers receive genuine handmade products. Their trust in the authenticity of their purchases must be upheld,” he said.
To ensure the authenticity of products, the department has set up two testing facilities. The Pashmina Testing Quality Certification Center at the Craft Development Institute and the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology provide certifications for shawls and carpets, including QR codes for verification.
“We are working to expand our testing capacity to better serve stakeholders and provide real-time product certification,” Islam said, adding that state-of-the-art equipment, including optical microscopes, is being procured to enhance the quality control process.
