MIRZAPUR: The carpet industry is deeply rooted in the Bhadohi district and its nearby areas of eastern Uttar Pradesh. In India, the industry is valued at roughly 3 to 4 thousand crores, with the Bhadohi, Mirzapur, Varanasi, Gopiganj, and Khamaria belts accounting for more than two-thirds of the total. The carpets made here are mostly for export. It is a very labour-intensive sector that employs around three lakh people in the region.

But in the past few years, due to the effects of demonetization, the complexity of GST, the global impact of the corona pandemic, and the aftermath of a statewide lockdown, the industry is witnessing a massive number of job losses. Ramesh Gupta, a manufacturer and exporter who runs a carpet factory said, “The carpet industry has suffered massive losses due to worldwide lockdown in wake of the covid outbreak. Before that, demonetization and GST have already destroyed the business.” He further added, “Although the Uttar Pradesh government has started a scheme ‘One District One Product’ to help the businesses of every district for its unique business model, it did not help them. Such schemes are only on papers and in advertisements for publicity.”

Workers and weavers are also not getting paid timely. Aman Kumar, a labourer who hails from Bihar, said that handmade carpet production has come to a standstill for the last two years. He further said, “He used to easily earn around Rs 500 a day until the year 2019, but now it is just Rs 200.” He added that there were some 15 to 20 people here who had come from Bihar along with him, now only four or five are left as others are not getting paid due to demand shortages. The situation is currently grim for the local artisans and it is to be seen if their situation changes in the coming years.