During a visit to Moradabad to inaugurate the newly built Samvidhan Park, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla held discussions with brass handicraft exporters to address longstanding industry concerns. The exporters, based in India’s premier brassware hub, voiced their demands for higher duty drawback rates and the elimination of GST, which they argue has hurt their competitiveness in global markets. Birla's visit also marked the 50th anniversary of the Emergency and included the inauguration of a public educational space showcasing India's constitutional and civilizational legacy.
Strengthening Local Industry: Spotlight on Brass Handicrafts
During his official visit to Moradabad, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met with a delegation of brass handicraft exporters, reaffirming the Centre’s intent to address sector-specific challenges. Moradabad, often referred to as “Peetal Nagri,” is internationally recognized for its intricate brass craftsmanship and accounts for a significant share of India’s handicraft exports.
Exporters raised key concerns about declining margins and global competitiveness, particularly due to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework and stagnant duty drawback rates, which they argue are undermining the industry’s viability.
Exporter Demands: Tax Relief and Policy Support
Among the primary demands presented to the Speaker were:
- Increased duty drawback rates to compensate for rising raw material and operational costs.
- Complete GST exemption for traditional brass handicrafts, which exporters claim would alleviate financial pressure on small and medium enterprises.
- Enhanced institutional support to facilitate international marketing and bulk orders.
Exporters emphasized that Moradabad’s brassware industry not only sustains thousands of artisan families but also contributes significantly to India’s foreign exchange reserves through exports to markets in Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
Cultural Diplomacy Meets Economic Dialogue
The Speaker’s visit was part of a broader agenda marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, a pivotal period in India’s democratic journey. His stop in Moradabad blended economic engagement with cultural outreach, exemplifying a governance model that recognizes both commerce and heritage.
The meeting with handicraft stakeholders took place on the premises of a reputed local exporting firm, signaling the government’s openness to on-ground dialogue rather than top-down policy imposition.
Inauguration of Samvidhan Park: Educating Through Heritage
Following his interaction with business leaders, Birla inaugurated Samvidhan Park, a new civic landmark established by the Moradabad Municipal Corporation. The park is designed to be a public learning space, blending art, history, and civics to help young citizens understand India’s democratic and civilizational evolution.
Key features of the park include:
- Exhibits tracing Indian civilization from the Indus Valley to modern constitutional democracy.
- Interactive installations tailored for students and children, aimed at fostering civic awareness.
- Architectural nods to India’s diverse cultural past.
Mayor Vinod Agarwal, who accompanied the Speaker, described the initiative as a fusion of “cultural memory and civic learning”—a tribute to India’s pluralistic ethos and a tool to promote constitutional literacy among future generations.
A Balancing Act: Economic Renewal and Cultural Reinvigoration
Speaker Birla’s twin-pronged agenda in Moradabad reflects the government’s evolving approach: economic revival through artisanal empowerment and nation-building through cultural commemoration. His engagement with brass exporters highlighted the urgent need for policy interventions in a sector that blends heritage with hard currency.
As global demand for traditional Indian crafts grows, ensuring that artisan clusters like Moradabad remain competitive will require tax relief, market access, and institutional recognition. At the same time, public initiatives like Samvidhan Park serve as gentle reminders that India’s soft power lies equally in its constitutional ideals and artistic ingenuity.
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