Recognition of Matabari Pera and Pachra with GI Tags

Context:

The Tripura Chief Minister announced that two traditional items from the state, Matabari Pera and Pachra, have been honoured with the Geographical Indication (GI) tag marking a significant milestone for local artisans and weavers.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Recognition of Matabari Pera and Pachra with GI Tags
2. Geographical Indications (GI) Tag

Recognition of Matabari Pera and Pachra with GI Tags

Matabari Pera:

• A dairy-based confectionery traditionally served as prasad at the Tripurasundari temple.

Pachra:

• A handwoven cloth used by Indigenous communities.

Significance of GI Tag:

• Ensures legal protection against unauthorized imitation or misuse of the product.
• Safeguards the product’s authenticity and preserves the cultural heritage it represents.

Benefits of GI Recognition:

• Facilitates market access and promotion, both within India and internationally.
• Creates economic opportunities for local communities engaged in the production of these products.

Previous GI Recognitions from Northeast:

• Tripura’s queen pineapple and 13 other products from the Northeast have previously received the GI tag, underscoring the region’s diverse and unique offerings.

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.