Srinagar, Aug 24: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry led by its President Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad and Farooq Amin had an interaction with Parliamentary Standing Committee for development of Handlooms, Handicrafts and welfare measures for the Weavers and Artisans in the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir on 23th of August, 2021 and Parliamentary Standing Committee on “ Augmenting Infrastructure Facilities to Boost Exports from J&K on today the 24th of August, 2021 at SKICC.
In a statement issued to Ziraat Times, a spokesperson said that the following issues were discussed by the KCCI team with the parliamentarians (Ziraat Times here reproduces the unedited version of the statemen):
ü Exporters are facing lot of challenges and difficulties as regard to exports from Kashmir region is concerned. As we are at the fag end of India without logistic support as still we have no dry port with the result export goods reach Delhi with higher fare rates resulting losing the competition at international level. So freight subsidies be given to exporters from Jammu & Kashmir as they can’t compete with others who are close to ports. Kashmir has a geographical disadvantage in logistics in respect of road transport. In order to increase export and make our products competitive in the international market, there is need to subsidize freight both air and road.
ü State and Centre Government must come up with the attractive schemes so that our entrepreneurs / new educated / unemployed youth will attract towards this Export Industry.
ü All handmade items should be exempted from taxes like GST. To preserve the livelihood of Weavers, Artisans, Traders, Exporters who are involved in handmade Handicraft and also the famous art of Cottage Industry, the GST must be waived off on Pashmina Shawls, Carpets, Papier Machie, Crewel, Chain Stitch, Wood Carving.
ü Union Territory Government must come up with Special Schemes for Exporters based on their performance / turnover basis. Government should declare Special Scheme in which 10% incentives be given to the exporter yearly on performance / turnover basic to encourage the exporters and boost Kashmir Handicrafts.
ü Those Silk Carpets which contains more than 60% silk should be given 7% incentives in RODTEP Scheme to encourage and boost Silk Handmade Carpets in Kashmir.
ü There should be a separate ITC (HS) code for Pashmina Shawls and verified by the competent testing laboratory. No capping should be placed on Pashmina Shawls or other value added handicraft items under RODTEP Scheme.
ü Government should give all the benefits to Kashmir Handicrafts and declare it as Special Economic Zone.
ü Warehousing Facility at International Airport.
ü The Department connected with the Exporters such as Banks, ECGC, DGFT do not provide the required awareness to the exporters.
ü Government must promote Carpet Village/City in Sumbal, Sonawari were where we have more than 20,000/- Artisans / Weavers available be identified as Modal Carpet Village which is already existing as per Industrial land bank availability. 200 Kanals of land should be initially provided to manufacturers / exporters in an organized way and Stake Holders should be asked to apply online and submit relevant DPR as per their capacity.
Infrastructure with this Carpet Village/ City should be fully supported and incent-wise in the form of 90:10 due to the present situation of carpet business in Kashmir. This Carpet Village should be installed with all Common Facility Centers wherein Design Development, Dying, Washing, Bank Facilities, Packing. To promote this Carpet Village wherein Carpet Manufacturers/ Exporters will come out with the new innovations and designs to cater the International Market.
ü To give incentives like Export Subsidy to Silk Handmade Carpets which are exported at a 10% from Jammu & Kashmir region as per Government Order No: 54-IND of 2020 Dated: 10-03-2020(Jammu and Kashmir Wool Processing, Handloom, Handicraft, Policy-2020). As the declining of exports is worsening every year. It is requested to issue Public Notice for the above said Incentive given in the Policy so that manufacturers and exporters get encouraged .
ü Government must give support to the present manufacturer / exporter to sustain in this present turmoil as most of the accounts are either stressed or turned NPA’s .
ü 100% Freight Subsidy from Jammu & Kashmir to the relevant ports should be reimbursed as we are at the fag end of India.
ü Office of the Jt. Director (DGFT):- Till few years back the office at Srinagar was being manned and managed by Joint Director (DGFT) and our problems and needs were being well attended thereby solving the said problems expeditiously. Unfortunately now the office is being held by a junior officer which results in undue delay in solving of the problems. It is requested that a Joint Director General be posted at Srinagar permanently.
ü The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry has felt the need of having Expo Marts for Handicrafts products and Carpets were we can Exhibit our products to International Buyers.
ü Inland Container Depo in Kashmir will be created which will help our exporters to export directly from Srinagar and increase the products which we are exporting not only but also the volume of present export.
