A delegation led by prominent businessman Sheikh Ashiq, who serves as a Board Director of both the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) and the Indian Silk Export Promotion Council (ISEPC), and is the former President of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has submitted an urgent representation to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir to address the increasing threat posed by counterfeit carpet sales in the region. The delegation also includes Faiz Nissar, In-charge of the CEPC Regional Office in Srinagar; representatives Firdous Ahmad and Fayaz Ahmad Wani from the Kashmir Carpet Cluster Development Organization (KCCDO); Mr. Ghulam Nabi Dar, Chairman of MEERAS Carpet Weavers Industrial Cooperative Ltd.; and Mr. Farooq Ahmad Shah, General Secretary of the Kashmir Carpet Manufacturers Association (KCMA).
This representation highlights the alarming issue of machine-made carpets, many of which are imported, being openly sold as authentic handmade Kashmiri carpets in showrooms registered under “Handlooms,” “Heritage,” and “Arts & Crafts.” This rampant misrepresentation is not only severely impacting the livelihoods of Kashmir’s traditional artisans but is also tarnishing the global prestige of Kashmir’s handmade carpet industry, a heritage craft renowned worldwide for its exquisite hand-knotting, intricate artistry, and cultural significance.
The delegation appeals for decisive government intervention and calls for a strict prohibition on the sale and display of machine-made carpets within all registered handicraft showrooms, emphasizing the need for clear and mandatory signage that assures customers that only authentic handmade products are sold in these outlets. Furthermore, they stress the importance of establishing a joint enforcement task force comprising government authorities and industry stakeholders to monitor compliance, conduct regular inspections, and take stringent action against violators. The representation also requests enhanced regulation on imports and the imposition of higher duties on carpets from other countries that are often passed off as Kashmiri handmade products in Indian markets such as Jaipur, Mumbai, Delhi, and Goa.
Sheikh Ashiq passionately stated, “Our handmade carpets reflect the heart and soul of Kashmir’s culture. Allowing fraudulent carpets to be sold under our heritage’s name not only deceives loyal customers but devastates the very communities that dedicate their lives to keeping this craft alive. We appeal to the Government of Jammu & Kashmir for urgent, visible action to protect this invaluable legacy.”
The delegation’s call to action underscores not just an economic crisis but a cultural one, warning that continued inaction risks irrevocable damage to Kashmir’s artisanal identity and the dignity of thousands of dependent families. They urge the Jammu & Kashmir government to prioritize this matter and swiftly implement policies to safeguard the future of the handmade carpet industry, restore consumer trust, and uphold the region’s rich cultural heritage, said Faiz Nissar (In charge – Regional Office Srinagar
Carpet Export Promotion Council) in a statement.
(AI generated representative image )
