How GI Tag is Important for Local Communities

Have you ever wondered why Darjeeling Tea, Moradabad Metal Craft, Cashewnut Fenny, Nashik Grapes,  Mysore Silk, Madhubani Paintings, Kanchipuram Silk Saree, Alphonso Mango, Nagpur Orange, Kolhapuri Chappal and Agra Petha are called so?  Every region boosts of something unique and the products are their claim to fame. Even in the olden days explorers went in search of such things exclusive certain places. The products are combination of the best of man and nature and it has been carefully preserved and handed over for generations. In order to celebrate and recognise the unique identity connecting the products and places, the famous GI tag was developed. These tags provide local producers, manufacturers to charge premium on their product for their unique quality which distinguishes from the similar stuff produced / grown/ manufactured in the other region. So the sprinkling Wine produced outside the Champagne District of France can not be called Champagne. Scotch Whiskey  produced outside the geographical region of Scotland can not be called Scotch. So is the case of Bourbon, Sake.

Realising  this potential and to provide protection to the local communities   Parliament passed the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act in December 1999. It clearly aimed at providing a registration and also protection of GI of the goods in India. This Act is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, who is also the Registrar of Geographical Indications.

The GI Tag is an indication which is definite to a geographical territory. It is used for agricultural, natural and manufactured goods. For a product to get GI tag, the goods need to be produced or processed or prepared in that region. It is also essential that the product has special quality or reputation.

Have you started to wonder how GI tag is useful? It is beneficial because it confers legal protection to the Geographical Indications in India. This identity helps in preventing misuse of a registered GI. Moreover, the legal protection of GI boosts exports. GI tag not only helps the country’s export market but also helps in promoting economic prosperity of the producers.

Any established organisation or authority can apply for GI tag under the law. The application for the GI tag should be addressed to the Registrar of Geographical indications along with the fee. Under the Geographical Indications, persons who deal with production, processing, trading or dealing of agricultural goods, natural goods, making, manufacturing, trading or dealing of handicrafts or industrial goods, specific to the region are called the producers.

Registration of the product under the GI facilitates better legal protection and the authorised user can exercise his right to use the tag effectively. The registration of GI is valid for a period of 10 years each which can be renewed from time to time. If the GI is not renewed then it will be removed from the register.

A registered GI is a public property which belongs to the producers of the goods. It cannot be used for licensing, pledge, mortgage etc. After the demise of the authorised dealer, his right can be exercised by the successor. It is not without reason that the place of origin is prefixed before the product, GI tag surely makes us proud of the various products of our country.

Now let us see which twenty creations and items of farm produce unique to the locations in our country won GI Tag in 2014-15. This time majority of Tags gone to North Eastern States.

Agri/ Horticulture

Arunanchal Orange, which is known for its high juice content and long shelf life 

Naga Tree Tomato, it is traditional staple of Nagaland. The Tree bears fruits for throughout the year.

Mizo Chilli , blood red in color highly pungent. While other chilli  varieties range from 5,000 to 50,000 on the scale of Scoville in terms of pungentness , this put at 2 Lac.

Tripura Queen Pineapple. Known for its fleshy pulp and tangy taste

Changalikodan Nendran Banana. Famous for its shape, colour and distinct taste.

Khasi mandarin. Known for its abundant juice and a pleasant flavor

Kachai Lemon. Juicer than ordinary lemon with acerbic content (normal lemon has acerbic content 30% and this variety boast upto 80%)

Bangalore Rose Onion. Known for its strong flavor and colour

Karbi Anglong Ginger. Renowned for its distinct flavor and pungency.

Sikkim Large Cardamom. Known for its natural aroma and taste, enhances flavor of other spices while cooking

Tezpur Litchi. Known for its distinct size, shape, colour, flavor, taste and juicy pulp.

Apart from this we have Khurja Pottery, Benaras Gulabi Meenakari Craft, Varanasi  Wooden Lacquerware and Toys, Mirzapur Carpets, Indor Leather Toys , Meerut Scissors, Ratlami Sev and Makrana Marble also find place in the list. This reminded me about Munsiari Potato from far remote Kumaun region of Uttrakhand which is long oval shaped and so tasty even without  any cooking oil, I think no body neither the growers nor the local government authorities ever pushed its case.