Remove machine-made items within 7 days or face blacklisting: JK Govt to handicraft dealers

Srinagar: The Department of Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to handicraft dealers to remove all machine-made items—mostly imports from Turkey and Iran—from their showrooms. Failure to comply will result in blacklisting and deregistration under the JK Tourist Trade Act, 1978.

According to notice H&HD/DDQC/TTA/95/2025, dated 25, 07, 2025, the department warned that displaying or selling such products violates the terms of registration under the Act. Dealers, as part of their registration, had submitted affidavits committing to sell only genuine Kashmir handicrafts.

Recent inspections found several showrooms violating this condition by misrepresenting machine-made products as authentic. The department said such malpractices damage the reputation of Kashmir’s traditional crafts. Penalties have already been imposed on defaulters under existing provisions of law.

An official spokesman said teams comprising the Director of Handicrafts and Handloom, Director of IICT, and the Quality Control Division inspected showrooms in areas like Nishat, Nehru Park, and Munawarabad, directing them to immediately remove machine-made products or face strict action.

The notice also flagged misbranding issues, particularly involving fake QR codes. It cited a recent case where a dealer affixed a fraudulent QR label on a machine-made carpet, leading to their blacklisting and deregistration.

Dealers have been instructed to ensure their establishments display only authentic Kashmir handicrafts and to prominently showcase relevant documents, including GI labelling certifications. The department stressed that any violations—such as misbranding, removing machine-made labels, or pasting fake QR codes—will attract action under the Quality Control Act, GI Act, and the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Unregistered dealers and hawkers have been advised to approach the Quality Control Division for proper registration under the Tourist Trade Act. (GNS)