Himachali Kala Zeera and Himachali Chulli Oil registered under Geographical Indications Act, 1999

Himachali Kala Zeera and Himachali Chulli Oil registered under Geographical Indications Act, 1999

            Vijyender Sharma

SHIMLA----Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has expressed happiness over the registration of Himachali Kala Zeera and Himachali Chulli Oil under the Geographical Indications (GIs) of Goods Act, 1999. He congratulated Himachal Pradesh Science Technology and Environment Council Congratulations for this achievement.

            The Chief Minister said  that this effort of the State government is going to benefit thousands of Kalajira and Chuli oil producers and will not only be heipful in preserving the traditional products but will further increase the market potential resulting in a boost for the economy of the region.

            He said that Himachal Pradesh is the first State in the country to formulate a policy for the registration of Geographical Indications of Himachal Pradesh vide notification no. STE-F (1)-6/2004 dated 10th September, 2004. Under policy guidelines issued by the H.P Govt. He said that Himachal Pradesh Patent Information Centre (HPPIC) located in Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology & Environment, has been declared as the nodal agency for identifying GIs of H.P and getting these registered under the GI Act so as to protect the interests of manufacturers/ producers/ artisans of the State of Himachal Pradesh. HPPIC is the first Patent Information Centre in the country to take such an initiative.

            Member Secretary DC Rana said that the for Geographical Indicators (GI) applications of Kala Zeera and Chuli oil was filed jointly by Himachal Pradesh Patent Information Centre (HPPIC), HIMCOSTE and Kinnaur Chulli/Bhemi Oil Producers & Processor Society, Kinnaur on behalf of manufacturers/ producers of Chulli Oil. Now the Geographical Indications Registry Office of the Government of India has recommended registration of both these traditional products (Chuli Oil, Kala Zeera) in Himachal Pradesh under the Geographical Indications Act.

            He said that Registration of Himachali Kala Zeera and Himachali Chulli Oil under GI Act will prevent the unauthorized production as well as misuse of the name of Himachali Kala Zeera and Himachali Chulli Oil. He said that Under the GI Act, unauthorized use and infringement of the registered Geographical Indication by producers other than those from the region of origin of these products can result in maximum of 3 years imprisonment and a fine of maximum of Rs. 2,00,000 under. 

            He said that awareness workshops will be organized by the Himachal Pradesh Council for Science Technology and Environment soon at Kalpa and Rekong-Peo for the stakeholders of Himachali Kalazeera and Himachali Chulli Oil for formulating an Action Plan for future strategy.

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