SRINAGAR: Addressing a long pending demand, the J&K Government has constituted a Quality Control Council under the Quality Control Act 1978. Director Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir has been nominated as the Chairman.

Managing Director J&K Handloom & Handicrafts Corporation, Director Craft Development Institute, and Director Indian Institute of Carpet Technology have been nominated as official members.

President of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce, President of Confederation of Chamber of Industry Jammu, President of Tahfuz Society, and President of Meeras Society have been nominated as non-official members.

Under the supervision of the council, frequent market checking will be made and all those elements will be heavily penalised who are found selling fake craft items or passing on machine-made items in place of handmade ones, an official statement said.

As many as 27 crafts that are practiced in the UT including silver ware, willow wicker, copperware, bamboo craft, and phoolkari have been placed in the notified Handicrafts Category.

The constitution of the quality control council was a long pending demand of the stake holders as implementation of the same will safeguard their interests and will help in curbing the menace of passing on the fake craft items in place of the genuine ones. The council is expected to meet shortly.

KR Desk