Kashmir handicrafts to have radio frequency identification to check thefts

Jammu: In stern measures to stop the sale of fake Kashmiri shawls the world over, the Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to use radio frequency identification tag (RFIT) to protect the state's handicraft.

"World famous Kashmiri shawls will be tagged through RFIT which will be a great step forward to protect Kashmiri handicrafts across the globe. This will stop sale of fake Kashmiri shawls and other handicraft items," a senior official of Handicrafts Department told PTI.

Besides this, a testing laboratory is also coming up for world famous Pashmina shawls at a cost of Rs 4.44 crores, he said, adding that it will be establish in Nowshera area of Srinagar.

The Industries Ministry has been receiving frequent complaints not only from various parts of the country but also from across the world about sale of fake Kashmiri Pashmina shawls and other handicraft items in the market.

The state government has been successful in getting geographical indicator registration under Geographical Indicators of Area Act of India for world famous Kashmiri handicrafts items like Kashmiri Pashmina, Kani and Sozni shawls in order to provide protection to the Kashmiri handicrafts.

Advertisement

Applications seeking GI registration have been submitted for other handicrafts items like Papier Mache and Kashmiri Walnut wood items, he said, adding documentation has been completed for preparing an application for Khatambandh (wood carvings).

Once GI registration is received for all these handicraft products, it will help to build up "brand Kashmir" in handicrafts in the state, he said.

Advertisement

Handicrafts items fetch a good foreign exchange revenue to the Jammu and Kashmir and over five lakh persons are engaged in handicrafts and handloom sectors the state.

Jammu and Kashmir had exported handicraft items worth over Rs 500 crores in 2009-10, exported items worth Rs 705.50 crores in 2008-09 and worth Rs 1,200 crores in 2007-08.
Due to global recession which was triggered as a result of economic meltdown and selling of fake products, handicraft sector has been affected resulting in a decline in income through export of handicrafts during past three years.

Advertisement

Apart from above measures, the state government is making all out efforts to check the sale of fake handicraft items, including Pashmina shawls and carpets, he said.

For this purpose, the handicraft department is deputing quality control Inspectors and Supervisors to various places where the department conducts craft bazar, exhibitions, expose within and outside the state to monitor the quality of handicraft goods.

Advertisement

In order to promote handicrafts and handlooms, the government is running 653 training centres, including 553 in handicrafts sector and 100 in handloom sector, which trains around 7,000 artisans every year.