Bhaderwah Rajma and Ramban Sulai honey get GI tag in Jammu and Kashmir

Tags: State News

Bhaderwah Rajma and Ramban Sulai honey of Jammu and Kashmir were granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

An Overview of the News

• Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Jammu started the GI tagging process for these products.

• GI tag provides exclusive use rights to authorized users while preventing unauthorized exploitation.

• This recognition is expected to increase exports, increase brand presence internationally and prevent misuse.

• The GI tag is set to benefit local economies and promote socioeconomic development for producers.

What is GI Tag?

• A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign given to products coming from a specific geographical location.

• GIs certify that products are made using traditional methods or have specific qualities due to their origin.

• It is used for food, handicrafts and industrial products.

• The GI tag ensures that only authorized users can use the product name.

Who grants and regulates Geographical Indications?

• These are a type of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) recognized and protected under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

• The World Trade Organization (WTO)'s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) provides a framework for the protection of GIs at the international level.

• In India, registration and protection of GIs is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into effect in September 2003.

About Jammu and Kashmir

• Jammu and Kashmir was a state of India until August 2019, when it was bifurcated as two union territories named Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on 31 August 2019.

• Capital- Srinagar (May-October), Jammu (November-April)

• Lieutenant Governor - Manoj Sinha

• Legislative Council - 36 seats

• Legislative Assembly - 89 seats