Sell only genuine Kashmir crafts or shut shop: Govt to handicraft dealers

Srinagar, Jul 25: In a decisive move to curb the growing menace of counterfeit crafts, the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, has issued a sweeping directive to all registered handicraft dealers, warning them to “exclusively display and sell genuine Kashmir handicraft products” or face strict legal action, including blacklisting and deregistration.

The order, issued by the Deputy Director (Quality Control) of the department, comes in the wake of Greater Kashmir’s reportage that exposed how machine-made items are being passed off as authentic Kashmiri handmade crafts.

One such case involved a showroom selling a machine-made carpet for Rs 2.5 lakh to a tourist, fraudulently claiming it was handmade and even pasting a fake QR label to bolster the claim. The said showroom has since been blacklisted and deregistered.

The circular, dated July 25, reads: “During recent inspections conducted by this office, it was found that several dealers have violated the extant rules by displaying and selling machine-made products misrepresented as genuine Kashmir handmade handicrafts. Such malpractices undermine the authenticity and reputation of Kashmiri handicrafts.”

It further states: “All registered dealers are hereby directed to ensure within seven (7) days from the issuance of this notice that your showroom exclusively displays and sells genuine Kashmir handicraft products and that no machine-made products are displayed or sold.”

Dealers have also been told to prominently display all relevant documentation, including valid GI labelling certifications. The department noted that Kashmir handicrafts are registered under the Geographical Indication of Goods Act to protect their authenticity, and any misbranding—including affixing fake QR codes or removing machine-made labels—will be treated as a criminal offence.

The directive warns: “Machine-made products are banned from being sold or displayed in Kashmir Handicraft Showrooms registered under handicraft or handloom categories, and any violation and misbranding including by way of pasting fake QR codes and pulling out the machine-made labels shall attract relevant clauses/provisions of the Quality Control Act, J\&K Registration of Tourist Trade Act, GI Act as well as the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita.”

Officials say the crackdown aims to restore credibility in Kashmir’s handmade craft sector, which has seen declining trust due to rampant mislabelling and counterfeit sales. The department has asked unregistered dealers and hawkers to immediately seek formal registration under the J\&K Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1978.

The order also instructs all registered showrooms to update their signage to clearly state that they “only sell Kashmir Handicrafts and DO NOT deal in Machine-Made products.”

The action has been welcomed by genuine artisans and traders. On Thursday, a delegation of carpet manufacturers and dealers led by CEPC Member, Sheikh Ashiq, met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and raised concerns about the growing market for machine-made imitations. The delegation urged the government to take strict measures to protect the livelihoods of artisans and safeguard the reputation of Kashmir’s traditional crafts.

Officials from the Handicrafts Department say this is just the beginning. “We are committed to rooting out fraudulent practices. This directive is not symbolic—it will be enforced,” said a senior officer. “The integrity of Kashmir’s handmade legacy is at stake.”