The prevailing electricity crisis in the valley has started affecting the handicrafts sector with artisans and dealers claiming diminishing productivity.
As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Kashmir is currently going through the power crisis as frequent and prolonged power cuts are being faced by the consumer across the valley.
Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) said the prevailing power scenario could affect the production in the handicraft sector.
“Artisans usually work on the craft till late hours. When there is no electricity, it will necessarily discourage them from working. Right now, we get distress calls about electricity from every part of the valley,” President KCCI Javed Ahmad Tenga said.
He said they held meetings with the authorities to improve the power situation in Kashmir. “Artisans and traders, who rely on uninterrupted electricity for their livelihoods, are grappling with production delays and dwindling sales, jeopardizing the rich cultural heritage of the region,” Tenga said.
Musadiq Ahmad Shah, senior vice president Kashmir Pashmina Organisation said the power crisis during current times would lead to heavy losses to the artisans and dealers.
“Leave aside machine weaving and spinning, the artisans who are associated with the handmade craft will suffer heavily. Autumn is the peak time for artisans as they give finishing touch to shawls or some other handicraft products. It is the festive season approaching and dealers need to send the consignments to various parts of the country and abroad,” he said.
Shah said the current power scenario could lead to the production delays, hence big loss to the artisans and dealers.
“The production schedules could be severely affected, leading to delays in fulfilling orders and causing frustration among traders and buyers,” he said.
Meanwhile, the artisan said their working hours have come down drastically due to the adverse power situation.
“Apart from artisans, we are also farmers, who throughout the day are busy with paddy harvesting. When there is no electricity during the evening, we couldn’t weave the carpet on the loom. Although we have a deadline to complete the carpet by the end of October,” said Sajjad Ahmad Khan, a carpet weaver from Bandipora.
The handcrafts sector is not only an essential part of Kashmir’s cultural identity but also a significant contributor to the local economy. Thousands of families depend on these crafts for their livelihoods, and the recent challenges are causing economic hardship.
During autumn and winter seasons, there is a huge demand for Kashmiri handicrafts as festivals including Durga Puja, Chhathpuja, Christmas apart from New Year fall in these two seasons—(KNO)