Srinagar:World-famous Kashmiri Pashmina and Kani shawls are now protected against imitation thanks to the Geographical Indication (GI) certification that will also give a boost to the handicraft industry in Jammu and Kashmir.

Governor N. N. Vohra Sunday gave GI certificates to artisans and craftspersons at a function here in the presence of central Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh. Describing the GI certification as a significant milestone, Vohra also sought international registration of Kashmir s world-famous crafts to ensure value addition to these products. "This is indeed a great day for the local artisans," he added.

Vohra observed that the international registration in the European and American markets, though a difficult task, would be successfully accomplished for opening up new vistas of opportunities for Kashmiri handicrafts. He hoped that with the GI certification the fake products in the name of Kashmiri crafts can be effectively checked and urged the artisans to maintain quality standards of their products. Ramesh announced that Sozni, yet another renowned craft of Kashmir, is all set to be accorded the GI certification. He said the preliminary formalities in this regard have been completed and the decision was likely within a fortnight.

Ramesh referred to the international certification and registration of Kashmiri crafts like Pashmina, Kani and Sozni and their logos and said that the measures will protect these brands. He described the registration procedure as a painstaking process and said that this required extensive research regarding the origin, uniqueness, history and manufacturing process, which took 20 months. He said that after the GI registration of Darjeeling tea, 96 other commodities have been registered all over the country. He hoped that the GI registration of Kani and Pashmina shawls will fetch these products about 20 percent more prices.

Source : IANS