CEPC demands ban on sale of machine-made carpets in handicraft showrooms

Srinagar, Sep 9: The Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) has demanded a nationwide ban on the sale of machine-made carpets being passed off as handmade in handicraft showrooms, citing the threat such practices pose to Kashmir’s traditional craft sector and the livelihoods of thousands of artisans.

A high-level meeting was held today under the chairmanship of Union Textiles Secretary Neelam Shami Rao in Srinagar, attended by senior officials from the J&K Industries and Commerce Department and leading exporters. Sheikh Ashiq, member of the CEPC Committee of Administration, actively participated in the discussions, emphasising that machine-made carpets sold as genuine handicrafts are undermining artisan incomes and eroding buyer confidence.

Sheikh Ashiq, Member, Committee of Administration, CEPC, actively participated in the deliberations, raising the “burning issue” of machine-made carpets being sold as Handmade carpets & crafts in the handicraft showrooms.

He expressed sincere appreciation for the swift response and order issued by the Commissioner/Secretary and Director of Handloom & Handicrafts to safeguard genuine handmade crafts.

Sheikh Ashiq emphasised the “prime issue” facing all artisans connected to the council: the urgent need for the implementation of this order in letter and spirit to ensure that no one can sell machine-made carpets and crafts within handicraft showrooms. There should be no space left for this thing,” and called for concrete action benefiting the thousands of artisans whose livelihoods depend on the sector

In a major assurance to the sector, Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, assured exporters and artisans that strict nationwide measures will soon be implemented to ensure that machine-made crafts will not be permitted in handicrafts showrooms. This commitment represents a significant step to restore buyer confidence, safeguard artisan livelihoods, and preserve the cultural heritage of J&K’s handmade industries.

A unified front was presented by leading industry bodies including the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC), Indian Silk Export Promotion Council (ISEPC), MEERAS Carpet Weavers Industrial Cooperative Ltd., Kashmir Carpet Cluster Development Organisation (KCCDO), Kashmir Carpet Manufacturers Association (KCMA), The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), along with exporters and stakeholders. They unanimously stressed the urgency of the issue and pledged full support for the enforcement ensuring no machine-made carpets and other crafts are sold within handicraft showrooms.