After securing the elite spot of highest per capita VAT in the country, Kashmir adds to its laurels by consuming gold jewelry worth 800 crores annually
Kashmir imports Rs 20 crore gold packaging material for gold
Rashid Paul (Rising Kashmir)
Srinagar: Packaging material worth Rs 20 crores for gold items is imported annually into Kashmir from different Indian cities despite availability of locally made paper machie craft items.
There are some 5000 gold shops across Kashmir region and each shop on an average purchases packaging material worth Rs 40,000 annually said Showkat Hussain a noted gem and jewelry dealer. “Valley consumes gold items worth Rs 800 crores annually and is dependent on the covering stuff as well,” he told Rising Kashmir.
The owner of M/ S G M Gojwari Gem and Jewelries said ‘I introduced paper machie rectangular and cubicle encasings but customers were not inclined to this innovation. “It was disheartening to see that customers disdained locally made paper machie boxes and preferred glossy Chinese, Bombay and Delhi made packaging material.”
We are fast loosing our sense of belonging and commitment to our culture and crafts said Dr Tariq Ahmed, an economist. “The dependency syndrome has pervaded in to our psyche. We prefer outside products than locally made ones,” Tariq complained. If paper machie boxes and carry bags for jewelry items are encouraged Kashmir can save flight of capital worth cores of rupees. Acceptance for local products will also generate employment and revive our traditional crafts, the economist said.
Pushing local packaging stuff is up to gold dealers association. If they wish they can prevent outside wrappings and promote local manufactures. But they are least concerned about the well being of the Kashmiri society, said a gold merchant who wished not to be named.
When Rising Kashmir asked Bashir Ahmed Rather, the general secretary of the All Kashmir Gold Dealers and Workers Association to comment he said “It is Sunday. I have some social engagements we shall talk on the issue on the next working day.”
Owner of the Zeenat Ornaments from Karan Nagar area said if paper machie packaging is available at prices not exceeding the prevailing encasings then the former is a good idea. Paper machie has aesthetic value and will promote local art, he added.