Tangmarg: Showroom blacklisted for selling ₹2.55 lakh machine-made carpet as handmade GI-certified Kashmiri rug

Tangmarg: The Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, took action against a craft showroom in Tangmarg, Baramulla, by blacklisting and deregistering it. A police case has been registered.

This followed allegations that the showroom, named ‘The Kashmir Art Bazaar’ in Konchipora, Tangmarg, had sold a machine-made carpet falsely labeled as a Geographical Indication (GI)-certified handmade Kashmiri carpet.

The department responded to a complaint by tourist Syed FurqanAlam, who claimed he had been misled into purchasing the carpet, supposedly valued at Rs 2.55 lakh.

The director explained that an inspection by the Quality Control wing revealed the carpet’s label, including a forged QR code resembling an official mark from the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT), Srinagar, was counterfeit.

Subsequent investigations verified the carpet’s true nature and led to further action against the showroom, including a criminal investigation initiated with the Senior Superintendent of Police, Tourism Enforcement Kashmir.

Officials said that such fraudulent activities undermine the authenticity of Kashmiri handicrafts and harm local artisans’ livelihoods. They stressed upon a zero-tolerance approach to misuse of the Kashmir brand for selling machine-made items, reinforcing the department’s commitment to protecting the integrity of Kashmiri handmade products.

The seized carpet has been sent to India’s sole NABL-accredited laboratory for testing, and measures are being coordinated with the Department of Industries and Commerce to ensure clear labeling of industrially manufactured products across Kashmir.

The directorate conducts surprise inspections and encourages consumer reporting to prevent further misrepresentation and fraud in the handicrafts sector.

Officials have urged all stakeholders to refrain from selling misrepresented products, and consumers are advised to report any suspected fraud promptly.