Context:
Recently, the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai has granted the GI tag to eight products from the Assam region, including traditional food items and several unique varieties of rice beer.
Relevance:
GS III: Indian Economy
Dimensions of the Article:
- About New GI Tagged Products
- Geographical Indications (GI) Tag
About New GI Tagged Products
Different Types of Rice Beer Unique in their Way:
- Bodo Jou Gwran: It is mainly said to contain the maximum amount of alcohol amongst Bodo rice beers, nearly 16.11%.
- Maibra Jou Bidwi: It is also famous as Maibra Jwu Bidwi or Maibra Zwu Bidwi; it is considered a prestige drink of welcome amongst the Bodo tribes. Half-cooked rice is taken for brewing and then fermented with ‘amao’ – a source of yeast.
- Bodo Jou Gishi: The fermented rice-based alcoholic beverage is traditionally fermented in a traditional Bodo way.
Traditional Food Products:
- Bodo Napham: Fermented fish is prepared anaerobically inside a sealed container for 2-3 months, which is a favourite dish among them.
- Bodo Ondla: Rice powder curry preparation, aromatic with garlic, ginger, salt, and alkali.
- Bodo Gwkha: Known as Gwka Gwkhi, this is a traditional preparation among themselves during the time of the Bwisagu festival.
- Bodo Narzi: Semi-fermented food prepared with jute leaves, Corchorus capsularis, is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins, and essential minerals.
- Bodo Aronai: It is a small, traditional cloth of 1.5-2.5 meters long and 0.5 meters wide, symbolizing Bodo heritage.
Geographical Indications (GI) Tag
Definition and Importance:
- Geographical Indications of Goods indicate the country or place of origin of a product.
- They assure consumers of the product’s quality and distinctiveness derived from its specific geographical locality.
- GI tags are an essential component of intellectual property rights (IPRs) and are protected under international agreements like the Paris Convention and TRIPS.
Administration and Registration:
- Geographical Indications registration in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
- The registration and protection are administered by the Geographical Indication Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade (DIPIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- The registration is valid for 10 years, and it can be renewed for further periods of 10 years each.
Significance and Examples:
- GI tags provide a unique identity and reputation to products based on their geographical origin.
- The first product in India to receive a GI tag was Darjeeling tea.
- Karnataka has the highest number of GI tags with 47 registered products, followed by Tamil Nadu with 39.
Ownership and Proprietorship:
- Any association, organization, or authority established by law can be a registered proprietor of a GI tag.
- The registered proprietor’s name is entered in the Register of Geographical Indication for the applied product.
- Protection and Enforcement:
- Geographical Indications protect the interests of producers and prevent unauthorized use of the product’s name or origin.
- Enforcement of GI rights helps maintain the quality and reputation of the products associated with their specific geographical regions.
Location of the Geographical Indications Registry:
- The Geographical Indications Registry is located in Chennai, India.
-Source: The Hindu, PIB
