Girl industry in Saharanpur
Demonetisation again Karona Epidemics followed by Russia-Ukraine War, Israel-Pilistine and Iran’s war and USA tariff Saharanpur’s famous wood carving industry has been shocked one after the other. The business which used to be from 1500 crores to 2000 crore rupees has been reduced from 200 to 300 crores today. Artisans and other traders associated with the wood industry are constantly in the hope that good days may come, but for the last ten years, this business is going into deficit rather than increasing. Now the trade deal between India-UK, once again, people associated with this wood industry have seen a ray of hope.
Once a business was 2000 crores
The wood carving industry of Saharanpur, once famous in the country and the world, is going through a deep crisis today, this industry, which is trading more than Rs 2000 crore annually, is now seen dying due to global recession, increase in shipment expenses and change of policy. The biggest concern is that thousands of Karigars associated with this industry are now migrating due to lack of employment. Some are running rickshaws, while some are forced to do daily wages.
Bread crisis in front of 20,000 family
In Saharanpur, more than 20 thousand people are associated with the girl industry and their family is also associated with them. For the past several years, whether exporters associated with the girl’s business or small shopkeepers or factory operators, everyone is upset due to increased tax and many international problems. Those who have been associated with this business for hundreds of years have been put at stake to save this industry for a long time. Every time people associated with the wood industry hopes that maybe they will get some relief but it does not happen.
Wooden gift items and furniture were in great demand
Whether it is a gift item or furniture for wood carving, all these demands have been not only in India but also abroad, apart from America, China, Middle East, UK, there were small to small to big items exported in many other countries. Foreign customers used to come to Saharanpur, but for the last several years, the shopkeepers have been waiting for the order. Many times it happened that traders got orders from abroad, but due to the changed policies, they were made on the order hold of millions of dollars.
Due to the recession in the wood industry, the artisans used to carve by hand. He engaged in other tasks to run his family. If someone is running an auto now, someone is nurturing his family by driving a rickshaw. The artisans whose daily wage used to be from 500 to 800 rupees. The owners and businessmen of the factory were unable to give them good money. Because of which he understood his goodness and going to other works.
Expectation from India-Britain Trade Deal
Exporter Anas says that this business of preparing artistic furniture, religious symbols, gift items, show-pieces, panels, shelves and decorative doors on wood is not only the identity of Saharanpur, but also the basis of livelihood of millions of families. Anas says that the cost expenses are increasing continuously, it is difficult to make expenses to the factory or small shops. If they do not give their minds to the artisans, then they are leaving this work and turning to other works.
But now there has been a trade deal between India and the UK, they have seen the light of hope. Anas says that in the deal with UK, we will directly benefit from 15 to 20 percent duty. Anas says that there is an annual export of about Rs 30000 crore with the UK. In which the wooden business alone is worth 2000 crores, now it seems that due to this deal of the government, we will get relief and we will be able to save our traditional business. But the government should also think about us. We hope from the government to make a special package for us.
Order does not come for 4-4 months
Other people associated with the wooden business say that first orders used to come from Europe, Middle East and America every month. Now four-four months pass, not even a mail comes. Customers say that it is now a costly deal to get goods from India, the cost has increased so much. On the other hand, in terms of price, we are unable to compete with China or Vietnam, but now the trade deal with the UK has been done. We are likely to get relief from this industry.
Major changes need to save business
Raju Chhabra, who has been inaugurated by the furniture business in the city, says that every worker will benefit from India’s Trade Deal. UK is a big importer Wodden Handicraft Items Wooden Cutlery Handicraft Item is very cheap and good available in India. In this work, by mixing the work of the machines as well as hand work, it started to be prepared very well.
Currently, if there is a direct benefit to the consumer will increase the direct benefit of 15% to 3%. Recently, the work has been zero, because the world wide manda hai perchasing power is low, in India, the perchasing power is very low in the population, because even though GDP is in the trillion but 80 percent money is in the hands of a few people of the country until the policy change will not change, it is useless to expect anything.