Union Textiles Secretary, Neelam Shami Rao, on Monday emphasized the need to establish a robust testing and certification system for Jammu and Kashmir’s handicrafts and handloom products to safeguard their authenticity and enhance export potential.

During an interaction with stakeholders at the Arts Emporium Office in Srinagar, Rao said the Centre is committed to promoting high-end crafts from the region through innovation, infrastructure development, and expanded market access. She urged officials to submit a proposal for the creation of a certification mechanism to prevent the sale of counterfeit products and ensure brand integrity for Kashmiri crafts.
Participants, including representatives from chambers of commerce, exporters, weavers, and artisans’ associations, appreciated the Centre’s recent decision to reduce GST on textiles and handicrafts from 12% to 5%. They called for:
National and international brand campaigns for J&K crafts
Upgraded infrastructure for artisans
Extension of welfare schemes
Market diversification
Crackdown on counterfeit and machine-made goods sold under the guise of handmade products
Rao stressed the importance of ensuring pension coverage, PF/ESIC registration, and educational scholarships for artisans' children. She added that the government is actively working to diversify markets, particularly in Europe, the UK, and the Middle East.
Later, the Union Secretary visited the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) campus in Budgam, where she toured labs, classrooms, and auditoriums. Interacting with students, she praised their creativity and encouraged them to explore innovation and entrepreneurship.
“You are the future of India’s textile industry. Your ideas and dedication will carry Kashmiri fashion to the world,” she told students.
She also lauded the Budgam NIFT campus as one of the best in the country and urged students to take full advantage of the training facilities.
Rao virtually inaugurated the Craft Handloom Village at Kanihama, calling it a major step towards promoting traditional crafts, tourism, and sustainable livelihoods. She directed Deputy Commissioner Budgam to ensure wide publicity to attract tourists and encourage direct purchases from artisans.
She also visited the CSB Basic Seed Farm at Manasbal, where she inaugurated the Seri-Tourism Project under the Central Silk Board and interacted with scientists and sericulture stakeholders.
The Union Secretary was accompanied by MLA Beerwah Dr. Shafi Ahmad Wani, Union Joint Secretary Padmini Singla, Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce Vikramjit Singh, DC Budgam Dr. Bilal Mahiuddin Bhat, DG NIFT Tanu Kashyap, Director Sericulture Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, and Director Handicrafts & Handloom Mussarat Zia, among others.