Srinagar, Nov 20 (KNO): The livelihoods of handloom and handicraft artisans across Jammu and Kashmir are facing a severe threat due to alleged corruption and mismanagement by officials of the Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO), artisans have claimed.
Their concerns have come to the forefront during the ongoing 43rd India International Trade Fair, which is being held from November 14 to November 27, 2024, at the Bharat Mandapam Complex in New Delhi.
The primary objective of such trade fairs is to offer small manufacturers and artisans a platform to showcase their unique creations, connect with potential buyers, and gain from globalisation. However, artisans allege that a nexus between JKTPO officials and inauthentic traders is undermining these objectives.
Many artisans, speaking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), claimed that the JKTPO is allocating stalls to fake artisans and traders after collecting hefty rental fees. “Despite receiving Rs 1.5 crore from the state government, specifically allocated to support the artisans’ participation, the JKTPO has failed to facilitate their inclusion in the trade fair. Over 30 genuine artisans, who paid Rs 45,000 each in rental fees, have found themselves excluded or sidelined,” they said, adding that there is no government guideline that mandates such exorbitant charges, making their participation increasingly difficult.
The high costs imposed by JKTPO, they say, have led to reduced participation, with stalls being largely occupied by traders who have no ties to the region’s handloom or handicraft industry. According to the artisans, the JKTPO, under the leadership of its Managing Director and senior officers, seems more focused on generating profits from external traders than on promoting Jammu and Kashmir’s traditional crafts.
“The trade fair was intended to boost the visibility and economic prospects of local artisans, yet only a limited number of stalls have been allocated to them out of a total of 114 stalls at the fair. This is a direct contradiction to the very purpose of JKTPO, which was established to uplift and promote the local artisan community,” the artisans said.
They added, “This alleged mismanagement began last year when JKTPO took charge from the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, the artisans said. As a result, many of the region's traditional artisans have been left struggling to find opportunities to showcase their work, with the organisation’s actions directly threatening their livelihoods.”
In light of these allegations, artisans have called for immediate intervention from the Jammu and Kashmir government, particularly urging the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, who is also overseeing the department, to launch a high-level inquiry into the matter. “The government must take swift action to ensure that future trade fairs prioritise genuine artisans from Jammu and Kashmir,” they said—(KNO)