Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 19: Senior People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former Minister Naeem Akhtar has strongly opposed the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) hike on Kashmiri shawls from 12% to 28%, warning that the move would devastate Kashmir’s fragile economy and push thousands of artisans into distress.
In a statement, Akhtar described the tax increase as a severe blow to the already struggling handicraft sector, calling it an “attempt to crush the artistic genius of Kashmir under the weight of excessive taxation.”
He emphasized the historic significance of shawl making in the region, where skilled artisans have preserved the craft for centuries despite numerous challenges. “Kashmiri shawl weavers, with their delicate fingers, create masterpieces admired globally. This proposed taxation is nothing less than an assault on their heritage and a threat to their survival. Families dependent on this craft risk being pushed into starvation,” Akhtar said.
He cautioned that the heavy taxation would make Kashmiri shawls unaffordable, threatening to collapse the centuries-old industry. “This is akin to reviving the oppressive practices of the despotic Maharaja rule, where shawl makers were crushed under heavy taxation. Are we witnessing a deliberate attempt to plunge Kashmir into deeper crises?” he asked.
Highlighting the craft’s seven-century legacy as a cornerstone of Kashmir’s cultural identity and economic survival, Akhtar said the tax hike would erode this heritage and worsen the economic plight of thousands of artisans. “Imposing such exorbitant taxes will exacerbate the hardships faced by those whose livelihoods depend on this art form,” he added.
The PDP leader urged the Government to reconsider and roll back the proposed GST hike, warning of dire consequences for the handicraft sector if the decision is not reversed. He called for measures to protect artisans and preserve the craft, which he described as a “living testimony to Kashmir’s artistic genius and creativity.”
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