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The significance of Geographical Indications for Competitive Exams.

Geographical Indication is one of the hot question topics for almost all competitive exams including UPSC Civil Services Prelims.

WHAT IS GI TAG? Geographical Indication tag.

Have you heard of Banarasi Sarees which is unique from Banaras? You might have heard of Kanchipuram Sarees of Tamil Nadu and Madhubani Paintings of Bihar.

All these are unique products from a particular location. Such products now bear an additional tag – Geographical Indication.

A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

To function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.
Every region boasts of something unique and the products are their claim to fame.

The products are a combination of the best of man and nature and it has been carefully preserved and handed over for generations.

To celebrate and recognize the unique identity connecting the product and places, the famous GI tag was developed.

NOTES

India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 has come into force with effect from 15th September 2003.

Darjeeling Tea was the first Indian product to get the geographical indication tag.
In 2004, the famous beverage got the recognition.

India has 236 GI products registered so far and over 270 more products have applied for the label.

THE PROPER TEXTBOOK DEFINITION

According to section 2 (1)(e) of the Act, the Geographical indication has been defined as

“An indication which identifies such goods as agricultural goods, natural goods or manufactured goods as originating, or manufactured in the territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or another characteristic of such goods is essentially attributable to its geographical origin and in case where such goods are manufactured goods one of the activities of either the production or of processing or preparation of the goods concerned takes place in such territory, region or locality, as the case may be.”

WHY IS GI-TAG IMPORTANT?

1. It boosts exports.
2. It can boost tourism.
3. The farmers benefit
4.Will boost MSME sector
5. Fakes can be stopped

EFFECT OF REGISTRATION AND INFRINGEMENT

Registration gives a right to the institution of the suit against infringement and recovery of damages for such infringement.

Any person who falsely applies or falsifies any geographical indication, tampers the origin of a good, make or have in possession of dye, blocks, machines to use in falsification of GI may be punished shall not be less than six months but which may extend to three years and with fine which shall not be less than fifty thousand rupees but which may extend to two lakh rupees.

GI MECHANISM: INTERNATIONALLY

Under WTO–> Trade-related Intellectual property rights (TRIPS), the Member nations have to respect geographical indications.

They’ve to take measures to prevent violation of GI rights. (e.g. order custom authorities seize bogus products.)

If a product enjoys GI status in member nation “A” then, Member nation “B” should not grant a trademark for the same.

CHALLENGES

Darjeeling tea became the first GI-tagged product in India, in 2004–05. Since then over 300 goods have been added to the list.

India’svast and vibrant agricultural and food varieties along with inter-regional variations also make it difficult while applying for GI

Lack of information as to how to apply for a GI Tag persists.

AN EXAMPLE

The latest case in point is Madhya Pradesh’s claims of GI tag for the basmati grown in the state and also its dispute with neighboring Chhattisgarh for ‘kadaknath’ chicken (a particular black chicken breed mainly grown in tribal areas of the state).

TheGI Registry on March 15 rejected the Madhya Pradesh government’s claim over GI tag for basmati rice. The state has challenged the order in the Madras high court.

Kadaknath Chicken, which is one of the rarest poultry breeds of India, is famous for its black meat, low cholesterol, high protein, quality, texture, and taste. It is sold at over Rs 500 per kilogram.

Post-the GI tag, sources said its price in the market has zoomed and in some cases crossed even Rs 1000 a kg.

SOME OF THE RECENT GI TAGS

The government has granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag to the Alphonso Mango from Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and other adjoining areas in Maharashtra, a move that will help identify the authenticity of this variety of fruit.

The king of mangoes, Alphonso, better known as ‘Hapus’ in Maharashtra, is in demand in domestic and international markets for its taste, pleasant fragrance, and vibrant color.

Boka saul rice – rice variety from Assam gots GI tag.

Chennai based Geographical Indication Registry has awarded Geographical Indication (GI) Tag to two more craft forms from Telangana viz. Adilabad dokra and Warangal Dhurries. Adilabad Dokra is an ancient bell metal craft and Warangal Dhurries is a popular traditional cotton rug.

The Chau mask of Purulia, the wooden mask of Kushmandi, the Patachitra, the Dokras of Bengal, and Madhurkathi (a kind of mat) have been presented with the Geographical Indication (GI) tag (West Bengal).

Three GI cheers for Bihar: Magahi paan, Jardalu mango (Zardalu), Katarni rice get exclusive tag.

Katarni rice is known for its unique taste and aroma. The short-grained rice is grown natively in Bhagalpur and Banka districts of Bihar.

Zardalu mangoes are grown in Bhagalpur district. A Zardalu mango usually weighs between 220gm and 250mg.

Magahi paan is an expensive variety of betel which is grown in Aurangabad, Gaya and Nalanda districts of central Bihar. It’s non-fibrous, sweeter, tastier and the softest of the lot.

Nilambur teak of Kerala.

Nilambur teak is famous for its quality. One of the world’s most sought-after woods, it has unique features like a large size, durability, and its distinctive color. Nilambur teak is said to possess high resistance to fungal decay and also exhibit antioxidant properties.