Srinagar, July 24 -- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday directed the Industries & Commerce Department to take strict action against showrooms and retailers selling machine-made carpets under the label of Kashmiri hand-knotted products.

The Chief Minister warned that counterfeit carpets were damaging the globally acclaimed brand of Kashmiri hand-made carpets and threatening the livelihood of thousands of artisan families dependent on this traditional craft.

A joint delegation from the Carpet Export Promotion Council, Indian Silk Export Promotion Council, Meeras Carpet Weavers Cooperative, Kashmir Carpet Cluster Development Organization, and Kashmir Carpet Manufacturers Association met the Chief Minister at the Civil Secretariat, de...