Deceptive practices in carpet industry exposed

Srinagar, August 8

Jammu and Kashmir authorities have uncovered serious issues with deceptive practices in the carpet industry, according to officials on Thursday.

An official spokesperson said in a surprise inspection, the Director of Handicrafts and Handloom (H&H), Kashmir, uncovered deceptive practices in the carpet industry with machine-made carpets being modified to mimic handmade carpets by adding tassels that resemble those of traditional handmade products.

These deceptive practices were discovered in Srinagar’s Downtown areas, particularly in Gojwara, Buchpora, and Sazgaripora in Srinagar.

The spokesperson said the inspection targeted several prominent carpet production and sales units, exposing that these businesses were misrepresenting machine-made carpets as authentic handmade products.

“These misleading carpets were then distributed to various showrooms throughout the valley,” the spokesperson said.

It said this incident follows the recent “blacklisting of a showroom along the Srinagar-Narbal-Tangmarg-Gulmarg tourist corridor, where deceptive carpets had previously been seized” by the Department’s Quality Control wing.

According to the officials, this kind of deception not only misleads buyers, but also jeopardises the reputation of Kashmir’s esteemed handicraft industry.”

The Department of Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir is taking rigorous measures against the involved dealers to address and correct these issues, the spokesperson said. “Maintaining the integrity of our handicrafts and handloom industry is crucial. Such fraudulent practices damage the reputation of genuine artisans and deceive consumers who value authentic craftsmanship,” said Director, Handicrafts and Handloom. — OC