MP’s push for inclusion of Basmati rice into the GI list

Madhya Pradesh government’s pressure on the central government for seeking Geographical Indication tag for Basmati produced in 13 districts of MP, is opposed by all India Rice Exporters’ Association (AIREA) to preserve and protect the integrity Basmati rice.
About Geographical Identification:
- GI tag is an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product, originating from a specific geographical area due to which it possesses unique characteristics and qualities.
- It’s kind of trademark in the international market.
- India, as member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 that came into force from September 15, 2003.
- There are total 370 GI tags in India, as per the latest information available from geographical indications registry.
Under Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, geographical indications are covered as an element of Intellectual property rights (IPRs).
They are also covered under Articles 22 to 24 of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, which was part of the agreements concluded at the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations.