Artisans seek government support for participating in trade fairs outside J&K

Srinagar, Oct 27: Thousands of artisans from across the country and several overseas nations will converge at the Bharat Mandapam (previously Pragati Maidan) in New Delhi next month to showcase their artistic works at India International Trade Fair (IIFT).

Although there is certain representation from Jammu and Kashmir at the annual IIFT, artisan community of the Valley has expressed concern over hefty stall charges of Rs 50,000 at the forthcoming trade fair and many such national and international level exhibitions.

Bandipora-based artisan Shakeel-ur-Rasool said there are various artisans in his family who have been impacted by the levy of the "whopping participation fees."

“The involvement of a middle man has been a dampener for artisans to participate in these trade fairs. Although the selection process is quite transparent, we are made to fill forms after which lots are drawn and the registered artisans with the Handicraft Department get a chance to sell their products at the trade fair but the participation fee is heavy on the pocket of an average artisan,” said Rasool.

He said his cousin, also from Bandipora faced the same problem this year that after her selection for IIFT, she faced teething financial problems in depositing the participation money.

Notably, J&K Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO) has been made the nodal agency that facilitates artists’ participation in the national and international trade fairs.

Artisans’ Rehabilitation Forum President, Parvez Bhat said earlier artisans used to get reimbursed for participating in the trade fairs, a practice that has diminished with time.

“The stall charges at most of these trade fairs ranges between Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh, out of which a minimum of 50 per cent to 80 per cent used to be earlier reimbursed by the government and the concerned ministries,” said Bhat

Bhat added Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) had given a representation to the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in March 2022 seeking marketing, raw material and logistical support, which could not be followed up due to the subsequent outbreak of Covid-19.

“We had raised the issue with the Finance Minister that the artisan community is already in distress. Time and again we stressed on the fact that artisans have unsold inventories and they need government handholding to get easy access to these trade fairs,” said Bhat. He said KCCI has also in the past approached JKTPO regarding the hefty charges for participation in trade fairs but nothing has been done so far.

Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Javed Tenga said it is deeply unjust that common artisans and handicraft traders from various parts of Kashmir are being asked to deposit Rs 50,000 to get a stall at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. “Such a large amount is far beyond the means of traditional artisans who depend on handicrafts for their livelihood,” Tenga added. “This policy excludes the very people whose art represents the true cultural heritage of Kashmir. The government and concerned authorities must reconsider these charges and provide fair, subsidised stalls or financial support so that rural artisans can showcase their work and sustain their traditional crafts,” the KCCI President added. A senior official at JKTPO said: “You should first check the stall charges for the last year and then take it (this year’s charges) up. These stall charges have been there for quite some time now.” He said JKTPO has been frequently organising events such as the buyer-seller meets.

“Earlier this year we held a buyer-seller meet in which we had participants of 13 countries and 50 buyers, which was inaugurated by the Jammu and Kashmir CM. We also held the Gandhi Silk Bazar with support from the Ministry of Textile in October and a Geographical Indication (GI) fair in Budgam. There are also plans to hold a Pashmina festival in Katra in days to come,” the official added.