IPAB allows MP farmers to implead in basmati GI case

India is a leading exporter of basmati. Rice export was worth Rs 29,300 crore in 2013-14

The Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) on Wednesday allowed New Darpan Social Welfare Society, an organisation representing farmers from Madhya Pradesh, to implead itself in the ongoing litigation proceedings relating to a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for basmati rice in India.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) asked for the Society’s plea to be rejected. Its counsel argued they were in a hurry to register the GI for basmati and allowing the Society to implead would open the “flood gates”, as more and more people would try to implead, delaying the registration. She said Apeda was defending the matter in hundreds of cases globally.

Sanjay Gandhi, who appeared for the Society, said farmers in MP had been growing basmati for several decades by both traditional and new techniques. He argued if MP was not included in the GI, its farmers could not produce basmati.

After hearing both sides, the IPAB bench of K N Basha, chairman, and Sanjeev Chaswal, technical member, said the plea from New Darpan showed it be a “just and necessary party to the proceedings”.

India is a leading exporter of basmati. Rice export was Rs 29,300 crore in 2013-14.