GI Board for Products to be Set up in Uttarakhand

• 22 Aug 2022

Why In News?

• On August 21, 2022, Vinay Kumar, managing director of Uttarakhand Organic Development Council, informed that a blueprint has been prepared for the formation of GI (Geographical Indications) Board to promote the identification and marketing of local products of the state.

Key Points

• Vinay Kumar said that its formation can be given a green signal in the upcoming cabinet board meeting. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had announced the formation of a GI board in the state. The Agriculture Department has prepared a proposal to form a board and sent it to the government.
• The proposed board will have several senior officials as members besides a chairman. The board's job will be to select local products and register GI. By getting the GI tag, fake products will be avoided in the market.
• The board will also have one or two special invitees and experts as members. Officers and employees of agriculture department and Uttarakhand Organic Products Council will work on the board. This will not put any additional expenditure burden on the Government from the constitution of the Board.
• The state government believes that there are more than 100 products in the state that can be given the GI tag. These include cereals, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruits, vegetables, handicrafts and handloom products, traditional instruments. Getting the GI tag will give these products legal protection.
• It is worth mentioning that so far nine products of the state have received gi tag. These include Tejpat, Basmati Rice, Aipan Art, Munsiyari's White Rajma, Ringal Craft, Thulma, Bhotia Dan, Chura Oil and Tamta.
• Apart from this, the process of GI registration of 14 other products is underway. These include Berinag Tea, Manduva, Jhangora, Gahat, Lal Rice, Kala Bhatt, Malta, Amaranth, Lakhori Chilli, Pahari Tur Dal, Buransh Juice, Sajavati Candle, Kumaoni Pichoda, Kandali (Scorpion Herb) fibers are included.
• It is known that geographical indication is given to the products of a particular region, which has a special geographical importance and place. Due to the same geographical origin, the product has special properties and identity. One cannot copy another product after getting the GI tag.