Recently, GOI has given mandate to APEDA to work on filling of GI for basmati rice.
The Genesis of GI Act rest on the fact that the owner of the GI should ensure benefits of GI registration should go the producers of the product. With the rise of third party ownership of GI registration there is strong possibility that such benefits will dilute or may not accrue to the producers.
The best model to own GI is the producers themselves. The most appropriate example of this is Darjeeling TEA, where the TEA board, which is a producers organisation, own the Darjeeling TEA GI. Needless to say that after GI TEA producers have been jointly benefited.
With 100 GIs another undesired development observed is mad rush for GI registration. There are different kinds of arguments like in one the cases in Karnataka a particular type of banana is registered to revive its production.
It seems that there is need for more sensitisation on the significance of GI in three different contexts. Regional Context- where GI can become one of the tools to empower local economy secondly, at the national level where through GI misuse of potential market may be avoided third at international level where GI may help in better respect for our products in international markets.
The issues such as quality control, good supply chain management and traceability of GI products require special attentions by the owners of GI.
The use of Information Communication Technology specially use of web in popularising of GI products, list of producers and unique qualities may be very useful.
