‘Wooden inlay industry needs support to get back on track’

Industry & Lockdown

Hoshiarpur’s unique wooden inlay-work handicrafts has been facing tough times. Gurnesh Jain, owner of Kanhaya Lal Brij Lal, established in 1855, feels that subsidy, relaxation in tax and government support are required for this artisan-based wooden inlay industry to survive. In an interview with Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi, he throws light on effects of the lockdown on the industry. Here are the excerpts:

How has the lockdown affected the wooden inlay industry?

It is almost closed. There is little production as some employees are working from home only to support them. It is like something is better than nothing. They are carving designs and doing the inlay job at their home only.

We are learning and keeping the workplace clean and sanitised. Masks, spectacles and gloves should be provided to every employee. Though the ‘work from home’ concept is not new in this industry as several rural artisans earlier used to do so, now Covid-19 has again revived it. But there is little production as some employees are working from home only to support them. — Gurnesh Jain, owner of Kanhaya Lal Brij Lal

Do you expect resumption of work on a large scale in near future?

Chances are looking bleak. Since the industry is ultra non-essential and comes after even luxury, it may get hit harder after the lockdown. Something innovative needs to save the industry.

Has any major order or investment been cancelled or deferred?

We fear most of the orders will be cancelled. It will be difficult to keep the prices same, which were promised before the lockdown. In the coming days, we have to be ready to face bigger issues due to a hike in the expenditure and cost incurred to sustain the industry and labour during the lockdown.

How are you dealing with the issue of paying salaries to workers?

Since the earnings are nil, we are using our bank credit limit for paying the salaries to our workers. We are also paying workers some amount in advance.

What are the lessons you have learnt from the lockdown?

We are keeping the workplace clean and sanitised. Masks, spectacles and gloves should be provided to every employee. Though the ‘work from home’ concept is not new in this industry as several rural artisans earlier used to do so, now Covid-19 pandemic has again revived it.

Do you see the current scenario a challenge or an opportunity?

It is an opportunity with a challenge to survive. There is an opportunity because it is teaching us how to sustain in tough conditions. It is a challenge because we have been making efforts to survive.

What are your expectations from the government?

Cottage industrial units should be allowed to open under specific minimal guidelines. The government should help us to work amid the changing style of business. Realising our constraints, the government should motivate and train us to abide by its advisories. Instead of punishing the industry for any violation, the government should motivate it to comply with norms. It must reduce the GST after the lockdown in order to attract people towards wooden inlay-work handicrafts. Besides, we are looking forward to packages from the government as it seems costlier to pay employees from our own pocket. It has to give the industry loans and subsidies. The government should set up a task force to bring innovations in designs for using wood.