Govt committed to safeguard Kashmir’s handicrafts
SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 20: The Jammu
& Kashmir Government has assured to safeguard the interests of Kashmir’s
famed handicraft and handloom sector, which is directly linked to the
livelihood of lakhs of artisans associated with the heritage craft.
Responding to certain reports that
have appeared in a section of the media with regard to proposed revision of tax
slab in the upcoming GST Council meeting, a Government spokesman today
clarified that the UT Government has already taken up the matter with the Union
Ministry for Commerce & Industry, requesting therein for lowering the GST
rate structure from existing 12% to 5% uniformly, including shawls priced above
Rs.1,000, with the objective of reducing the tax burden on this artisan-driven
industry and supporting marketability.
The spokesman described Handicrafts
as a labour-intensive industry which constitutes 80% of human workforce. He
further stated that all efforts shall be made to revive the handicrafts sector,
keeping in view the stiff competition from global markets and machine-made
imitations.