SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has launched a QR code-based Geographical Indication (GI) labelling system for traditional handicrafts, with approximately 70,000 handmade products already certified. This initiative aims to enhance the authenticity of crafts and enable consumers to verify product genuineness in real-time through smartphone scans.
Efforts to Curb Counterfeit Products
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Industries and Commerce Department introduced the QR-based system in response to an unstarred assembly question. The system allows customers to scan labels and instantly access product details and confirm authenticity at the point of sale. This move is a direct response to the growing prevalence of fake and misbranded products in the market, which erodes consumer trust and damages the reputation of genuine Kashmiri crafts.
GI Registration for Key Crafts
Geographical Indication (GI) registration has been secured for 18 traditional crafts across Jammu and Kashmir, comprising 15 from the Kashmir region and three from Jammu. These registered crafts include highly sought-after items such as Kashmir Hand-Knotted Carpet, Pashmina, Sozni, Papier-Mache, Kani Shawl, Walnut Wood Carving, Khatamband, Crewel, Namda, Gabba, Chainstitch, Wagguv, Kashmir Tweed, Shikara, Bat, Basholi Pashmina, Basholi Painting, and Rajouri Chikri Wood. The implementation of this system is expected to protect these unique cultural assets.
Operationalizing Certification and Testing
Currently, the certification and GI labelling mechanisms are operational for seven specific crafts. This is facilitated through dedicated testing facilities, including the Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre and the Carpet Testing Laboratory situated at the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology in Srinagar. These centres play a crucial role in ensuring that products meet the stringent quality and authenticity standards required for GI tagging.
Enforcement and Penalties for Violators
The government has acknowledged the significant challenge posed by the misbranding of handicrafts and the sale of imitation products. To combat this, enforcement actions are being carried out under various legal frameworks, including the Jammu and Kashmir Handicrafts Quality Control Act, 1978. Inspection teams are actively conducting regular checks in key tourist areas and city centres. Over the past three fiscal years, fines totaling Rs 11,51,095 in 2025–26, Rs 12,09,505 in 2024–25, and Rs 90,000 in 2023–24 have been levied in the Kashmir division alone for violations.
Grievance Redressal and Infrastructure Upgrades
A robust grievance redressal mechanism is in place to address complaints from tourists and consumers regarding fake products, ensuring prompt action is taken in such instances. To further bolster the integrity of the system, the government has invested in procuring additional high-end machines and equipment to upgrade existing testing laboratories. These upgrades are anticipated to significantly increase daily testing capacity and reduce the waiting times for artisans and authorised users, thereby streamlining the certification process.
The comprehensive approach, combining GI tagging, QR code verification, and strict enforcement measures, is projected to enhance consumer confidence, safeguard the interests of artisans, and bolster the global credibility of Jammu and Kashmir’s distinguished traditional handicrafts.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
