The Agriculture and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA) has identified Delhi, Western Uttar Pradesh, two districts of Jammu and Kashmir (namely Jammu and Kathua) and four other states (Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand) as having geographical indication (GI) to cultivate basmati rice.
“Only the basmati rice produced in these GI states would be recognised as basmati rice, while basmati rice produced in other states not be considered as basmati rice, as APEDA does not consider areas other than those with the GI status as basmati rice producers,” said A K Gupta, advisor, cereals, APEDA.
In a reply a question in the Rajya Sabha, Nirmala Sitharaman, minister of state for commerce and industries (independent charge), stated that the aforementioned states were recognised by the National Agricultural Research System under the agriculture and co-operatives ministry.
“APEDA has included the northern states in the application it submitted to GI Registry in Chennai for the registration of basmati rice as a product with Geographical Indication (GI),” she added.
Following APEDA’s application, GI Registry passed a common order on December 31, 2013, directing the authority to file an amended GI application, including all uncovered areas where basmati rice is cultivated. These include Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar.
“In view of the legal advice and review of the matter on the far-reaching consequences of implementing the order, APEDA has filed an appeal before the Intellectual Property Appellate Board in February 2014,” Sitharaman added. Following this it was decided that only the traditional GI areas for basmati rice cultivation would be given the nod.
Source;- fnbnews.com
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