Chief Secy seeks roadmap to unlock full potential of J&K’s GI-tagged products
Srinagar, Aug 15: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has directed the Industries & Commerce Department to prepare targeted action plans to fully harness the economic and cultural potential of Jammu and Kashmir’s Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products.
Chairing a high-level meeting on strategies to promote GI items, Dulloo stressed the need for robust systems to ensure quality, authenticity, and international recognition of J&K’s traditional crafts and agricultural goods. He called for strengthening traceability features to safeguard handicrafts from counterfeiting and ordered augmentation of testing facilities across the UT, including fast-tracking NABL accreditation for the Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre (PTQCC) in Kashmir.
Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Shailendra Kumar, suggested introducing tamper-proof labels with details of each product’s origin, features, and creator, along with a quality enforcement mechanism imposing penalties for substandard goods—similar to successful European models. He also proposed raising visitor awareness through billboards and information material at craft villages.
Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Vikramjit Singh, said the UT has undertaken extensive GI-tagging to safeguard local craftsmanship, empower artisans, and improve market access. Director, Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir, Masarat-ul-Islam, highlighted that each GI-certified craft now carries a QR code label detailing manufacturer, artisan, and material specifications to ensure transparency.
Officials informed that IICT Srinagar is NABL certified, PTQCC has been upgraded with an Optical Fibre Diameter Analyser to boost testing capacity, and a new Quality Control Lab is proposed for eight recently registered GI crafts. The Indian Institute of Carpet Technology has trained over 11,000 artisans, digitised numerous designs, and set up a Common Facility Centre for yarn dyeing.
As of March 2025, 15 crafts from the Kashmir Division and three from the Jammu Division hold GI status, including Pashmina Shawl, Carpet, Papier Machie, Walnut Wood Carving, Basohli Pashmina, and Basohli Painting. In agriculture, seven products such as Kashmir Saffron, Mushk Budji Rice, Bhaderwah Rajmash, and Ramban Sulai Honey are registered, with others like Kashmiri Ambri Apple, Haak, and Long Chilli in the pipeline.
The initiative, officials said, reflects J&K’s commitment to preserving centuries-old traditions, enhancing product credibility, and generating sustainable livelihoods for artisans and farmers.
