Kashmir Saffron J&K’s 8th product to get GI tagging, Jammu has none

In a major development, Kashmir’s Saffron has been granted the prestigious Geographical Indicator tag, thus becoming the eighth product of Jammu and Kashmir to get GI certification tag. Interestingly, all of them are Kashmiri products, even as eligible products from Jammu region await their maiden tag, courtesy official and general apathy.

The other seven products to get GI tagging are Kashmiri Pashmina, Kashmiri Sozani Craft, Kani Shawl, Kashmir Paper Machie, Kashmiri Walnut Carving, Khatamband, and Kashmiri Hand Knotted Carpet. Now, Consultative Committee in New Delhi has accepted the GI registration for Kashmir Saffron.

“It is a big achievement. It will help the Saffron marketing at international level and will subsequently benefit Saffron growers and farmers alike,” Farooq Ahmad Khan, Advisor to Governor, said while announcing the news at a function in Srinagar.

Advisor said that the Government is committed to brand other Kashmiri products like silk, walnuts, fruits etc so that these products would be recognized worldwide and would also help to increase the income of local farmers.

Pertinently, final meeting regarding the issuance of GI tag for Kashmir Saffron crop was held on September 23, 2019 in New Delhi. J&K Government had already taken up the GI tag issue with Government of India, Geographic Indications Registry.

“It is time to reflect for people of Jammu, why not even one product of their region has made it to the GI list in all these years ,” said Mahesh, a local.

“In Jammu division, there must be over 10 products that are eligible for GI status in different categories, but are a victim to general apathy,” says Bhushan Parimoo, an environmentalist, and Jammu aficionado.

According to Nagendra Singh Jamwal, CEO, Surinsar Mansar Development Authority, products like Bhaderwah Rajma, Kud Patisa, RS Pura Basmati, Jammu Anardana, Jammu Black Morels (Gucchi), Jammu Chikri wood work, Rajouri Darhal, Udhampur Kaladi, Paddar Sapphire, Basohli Pashmina Shawls, Basohli Paintings, Samba Calicos, and White Honey of Doda, Kishtwar, and Udhampur, have been indispensable part of lives of people in Jammu division, and can rightly make it to the GI list.

Meenakshi says, “The marketing and awareness of these local products can lead to riches. GI status can usher in gainful employment for thousands of people associated with these products. Yet there has been no progress on the ground, neither from the state governments nor the so-called voices of Jammu.”

“It is lack of awareness as well as absence of intent amongst people of J&K to preserve products – agricultural, natural or manufactured (handicraft and industrial goods) originating from their own geographical territory,” blames Parimoo.

OP Bhagat, former Director Tourism Jammu, remarks that GI tags for one or all of the aforementioned products can help in promotion of tourism and preservation of cultural heritage of the region, besides encouraging employment.

“The administration will surely process the requests for GI tags, if someone comes forward for it. Jammu, in particular, and J&K, in general, should reap the diverse benefits of GI tags, which have the potential to be our growth engine,” says Rakesh Sarangal, Additional Commissioner Jammu (in the office of Divisional Commissioner Jammu).

GI tag, an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) tag, identifies a product as originating in a particular territory with special quality or reputation attributable to its geographical origin. Apart from conveying a product’s quality and distinctiveness, that helps the producers and consumers to differentiate from competitors, it generates a premium brand price for the product internationally. Furthermore, it provides legal protection to the registered product and their producers.

India enacted Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, to fulfil the World Trade Organisation’s agreement of 1994 on Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) that laid down set of standards by which, GIs could be legally enforceable in WTO member states. The Act came into force from 15th September, 2003 and Darjeeling Tea was the first product of India to receive GI tag in 2004-05.

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