GI status sought for Bhagalpur silk fabrics and sarees

A group of organisations have sought Geographical Indication (GI) status for silk fabrics and sarees produced in Bhagalpur division of Bihar.

The Bhagalpur Regional Handloom Weavers Cooperative Union and six other organisations have filed an application before the Chennai-based Geographical Indication Registry, the competent authority under Government of India, for a GI tag for 'Bhagalpur Silk Fabrics and Sarees'.

The Geographical Indication is a sign used on goods that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities, reputation or characteristics that are essentially attributable to that region.

Once granted, the GI status would legally prohibit others to sell sarees and fabrics made at places other than Bhagalpur under the same brand.

The GI tag for fabrics and sarees can become an effective tool for economic empowerment of the weaver community.

"The grant of GI tag to Bhagalpur Silk Fabrics and Sarees would certainly help the local weavers from losing their share in the revenue generated through the sale of these products," Dhananjay Kumar, who works as Cluster Development Executive at a local organisation in Bhagalpur, told PTI over phone.

Recently, a similar status was granted to famous Banaras brocades and sarees. In the past, GI tag has been awarded to a number of products or goods, including Darjeeling Tea, Goa Feni and Madhubani Paintings.