Srinagar, Mar 24, KNT: Concerned over the growing influx of machine-made carpets being falsely sold as handmade, the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) on Sunday convened a high-level meeting to address the issue, warning that the deceptive practice is severely impacting India’s traditional carpet industry, particularly in Kashmir.
During the Committee of Administration (COA) meeting, members expressed deep concern over the damage caused to the reputation of India’s handmade carpet sector and the serious threat it poses to the livelihoods of thousands of artisans and weavers. To combat this fraudulent trade, the COA unanimously decided to escalate the matter to the Ministry of Textiles (MoT) and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), seeking immediate intervention and stringent measures.
The Council proposed the formation of a dedicated enforcement team to conduct raids and take legal action against businesses found involved in selling machine-made carpets under the guise of handmade ones. This initiative, they believe, will help restore credibility to the industry and protect artisans from unfair competition.
CEPC Chairman Kuldeep Raj Wattal, along with COA members from Jammu and Kashmir, including Sheikh Ashiq, Shaukat Khan, and Meraj Jan, reiterated their commitment to preserving the authenticity of handmade carpets. They emphasized the need for strict enforcement to curb the misleading trade practices harming the sector.
The CEPC assured that it would continue collaborating with law enforcement agencies to uphold India’s rich heritage of handmade carpets and ensure that artisans receive the protection and support they deserve.
