Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Agriculture Production Department (APD), Atal Dulloo today chaired a preliminary meeting of experts and officers of agriculture-allied sector over the application of Geographical Indication (GI) tagging of agriculture products of Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Vice Chancellors of SKUAST Kashmir/Jammu, Director Agriculture Kashmir/Jammu, Director Horticulture Kashmir/Jammu, Technical Officers (APD) and other concerned in person and through online mode.
At the outset, Dr Rajni Kant, GI expert from Varanasi, delivered a detailed presentation over the GI registration process in India and guidelines for drafting of statement of the case. He informed that GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and ensures good qualities or a reputation in the region.
He explained each step applicable for registration as authorized user, including filing of an application, preliminary scrutiny and exam, issue of show cause notice, advertisement, opposition for registration, registration, renewal, additional protection to notified goods, and appeal.
He told the meeting that each step in the registration process is important supported with historical evidence and proofs and beside display of products for ready reference and added that there are certain Geographical Indications, the registration of which is prohibited by law.
The meeting was informed that 23 crops or products have been tentatively identified for GI Tagging from Jammu and Kashmir and technical working groups have been formed for these products to apply for GI certification.
Appreciating the vast experience of Dr Rajni Kant in the field of GI tagging, the ACS said that Dr Kant’s presentation will help the working groups to study thoroughly before final GI application of a particular product.
Dulloo also impressed upon the concerned to prepare a Guidance Note so that maximum GI application would be filed and accordingly pursued so that there is little chance for rejection of any crop or product.
He said that the Guidance Note will be a model for filing GI registrations of products from J&K and will be shared with Technical Facilitation Committee members for clarifications, if any, for further GI applications.
He also urged the concerned to go for awareness and sensitization campaigns to connect with farmers to let them know about the GI Tag for their crops with support from the government and other stakeholders.