Steaming Basmati Rice

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) has approached the IP Board against the GI Registry, requesting them to amend the GI Registration of Basmati Rice.

The GI Application (145) was filed on 26^th November 2008 under the class 30 (Agriculture). The applicant APEDA has field the application under following geographical areas: India (Punjab/Haryana/HimachalPradesh/Delhi/Uttarkand/Jammu & Kashmir). Now, GI solicits to include the uncovered area, including certain area in Madhya Pradesh.

The move by IPAB came amidst protests from Rajesh Singh Thakur, Chairman of Madhya Pradesh Basmati Growers Association, Rice producers, processors and the state government of Madhya Pradesh (MP), against the Apeda\’s application for registration of basmati as GI in class 30 under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999, without including area in MP.

The appeal was against the order of assistant registrar of the GI Registry, issued on December 31, 2013, which allowed the opposition by various parties, including the department of farmer welfare and agriculture the development of MP, Madhya Kshetra Basmati Growers Association Samiti based in Raisen district among others against the application of Apeda.

However, Apeda has denied the rice in MP has characteristics of basmati and even if assuming that it has all the characteristics, it also required the element of reputation and correspondent public perception, which are equally determinant for a GI registration.

Allowing the opposition of the MP Basmati growers, the assistant Registrar directed Apeda to file an amended application including the uncovered area, with map of the region clearly segregating the area of production within 60 days from the date of the order.

By Akshatha Karthik

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