Safeguarding Heritage: Srinagar Handicrafts Department Cracks Down on Illegal Machine-Made Copperware
SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 28: In a decisive move to protect the livelihoods of traditional artisans, the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom conducted an extensive inspection drive across Srinagar’s copper manufacturing hubs today.
Targeting units in Solina, Rambagh, Nowgam, Natipora, and Habbakadal, the enforcement teams—accompanied by the Kashmir Copper Workers Trade Union—strictly monitored compliance with the Jammu and Kashmir Prohibition on Manufacture of Specified Copper Utensils (By Machine) Act 2006. The drive aims to eliminate the misbranding of machine-made products as “handmade,” a practice that has significantly threatened the socio-economic standing of genuine handicraft workers who specialize in the intricate art of hand-beaten copperware.
During the inspections, several manufacturers and dealers were found violating the legal norms and were served stern warnings regarding the illegal production and sale of 24 specific copper utensils prohibited for machine manufacturing under the Act. To provide a sustainable solution to this challenge, the department has scaled up its ambitious QR-based labeling program. This digital certification allows consumers to verify the authenticity of handmade items instantly.
Quality Control teams are currently visiting business locations to provide doorstep labeling services, ensuring that every notified craft product carries a mark of genuine craftsmanship and quality.The Department emphasized that strict legal action, including heavy penalties and prosecution, will be initiated against those continuing to flout the 2006 Act. Dealers have been urged to conduct their businesses with integrity by refraining from misbranding and adopting the QR-labeling system to build consumer trust.
By blending traditional oversight with modern technology, the administration seeks to preserve Kashmir’s iconic copper heritage while ensuring that the artisans at the heart of this industry are protected from unfair competition and industrial exploitation.