Assam's Chokuwa rice gets GI tag

Tags: State News

Chokuwa rice, popularly known as "magic rice", received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

An Overview of the News

• The GI tag recognizes its exceptional qualities and heritage.

• Chokuwa rice is closely linked to the history of Assam and has a historical connection with the Ahom dynasty.

• This variety of rice is specially cultivated in the Brahmaputra river region.

• Cultivation areas include Tinsukia, Dhemaji, and Dibrugarh in Assam.

Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:

• Geographical Indication (GI) is a label given to products from a specific geographical area.

• GIs confirm that products have unique properties or have been produced using traditional methods because of their geographical origin.

• Applicable to various products such as food, handicrafts, and industrial goods.

• GI tags ensure that only authorized producers can use the product name.

Who awards and regulates geographical indications?

• Geographical indications are a form of intellectual property rights (IPR) protected under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

• The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) establishes an international framework for GI protection.

• In India, GI registration and protection of goods is governed by the Geographical Indications (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

• This act came into effect in September 2003.

About Assam

Formation (as a state) - 26 January 1950

Capital - Dispur

Chief Minister - Himanta Biswa Sarma

Governor - Gulab Chand Kataria

Rajya Sabha - 7 seats

Lok Sabha - 14 seats