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:
- Recognition of Matabari Pera and Pachra with GI Tags
- 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.
