Darjeeling tea joins ranks of geographical indications list

New Delhi, Nov 9 (UNI) Darjeeling tea is among the 28 Indian products registered with the Chennai-based Geographical Indications (GI) Registry.

Incidentally, Darjeeling tea has been registered twice in the GI Registry.

The other products are: Pochampally Ikat (Andhra Pradesh); Chanderi saree (Guna, Madhya Pradesh); Kotpad handloom fabric (Koraput, Orissa); Kota Doria (Kota, Rajasthan); Kancheepuram silk (Tamil Nadu); Bhavani Jamakkalam (Erode, Tamil Nadu); Mysore Agarbathi (Mysore, Karnataka); Aranmula Kannadi (Kerala); Salem fabric (Tamil Nadu); Solapur terry towel (Maharashtra); Mysore silk (Karnataka); Kulu shawl (Himachal Pradesh); Madurai Sungudi (Tamil Nadu); Kangra tea (Himachal Pradesh); Coorg Orange (Karnataka); Mysore betel leaf (Karnataka); Nanjanagud banana (Karnataka); Mysore sandalwood oil (Karnataka); Mysore sandal soap (Karnataka); Bidriware (Karnataka); Channapatna toys&dolls (Karnataka); Coimbatore wet grinder (Tamil Nadu); Mysore rosewood inlay (Karnataka); Kasuti embroidery (Karnataka); Mysore traditional paintings (Karnataka) and Orissa Ikat (Orissa).

A Geographical Indications Registry with all-India jurisdiction operates in Chennai, as per the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999.

Under the Act, agricultural, natural or manufactured goods originating or manufactured in the territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of such goods is essentially attributable to its geographical origin and in cases where such goods are manufactured goods, one of the activities of either production or of processing or preparation of the goods concerned takes place in such territory, region or locality, are registrable as Geographical Indications.

Whether a particular product is registrable or not is determined by the Registrar of Geographical Indications, on receipt of the application.

Geographical Indications registration gives to the registered proprietor and its authorised users, the legal right to the exclusive use of the GI and also the right to obtain relief in case of its infringement. Exclusion of unauthorised persons from misusing GI would ensure that genuine products of the rightful producers are marketed.

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