SRINAGAR, Dec 19: Senior PDP leader and former Minister Naeem Akhtar has voiced staunch opposition to the proposed GST hike on Kashmiri shawls, warning it could devastate Kashmir’s economy and push thousands of artisans to the brink. The proposed increase from 12% to 28% has sparked fears of irreparable damage to the region’s fragile handicraft sector.
In a strongly worded statement, Akhtar criticized the move as an “attempt to crush the artistic genius of Kashmir under excessive taxation.” He underscored the historic and cultural significance of shawl weaving, a craft sustained by generations despite persistent challenges. “Kashmiri shawls are masterpieces admired worldwide, woven with skill and dedication. Imposing such a heavy tax is an assault on this heritage and the livelihoods of thousands of families who depend on it,” he remarked.
Akhtar warned that the GST hike would make shawls unaffordable, triggering a collapse of the industry that has been the backbone of Kashmir’s economy for centuries. Drawing parallels with the despotic taxation policies of the pre-independence era, he asked if the government was “deliberately plunging Kashmir into deeper crises.” He emphasized the shawl-making tradition’s seven-century legacy, calling it a cornerstone of Kashmir’s identity and an essential source of economic sustenance for many.
The PDP leader painted a grim picture of the impact on artisans, many of whom already face precarious conditions. He described the proposed tax as “a threat to survival,” cautioning that it would erode the craft’s legacy while exacerbating the economic hardships endured by its practitioners.
Akhtar urged the government to reconsider and roll back the tax hike, warning of dire consequences if the decision stands. He called for urgent measures to protect artisans and safeguard the shawl-making industry, describing it as “a living testament to Kashmir’s creativity and artistic genius.”
With this move threatening a centuries-old craft and its global reputation, Akhtar’s appeal highlights the need for thoughtful policies that support rather than stifle Kashmir’s cultural and economic pillars.