Bhubaneswar, Sep 6 (IANS): The Odisha government has sought Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Odisha brass and bell metal products at the Registrar of Geographical Indication, Chennai, an official said on Tuesday.
The GI application for Odisha brass and bell metal has been filed with the Registrar of Geographical Indication, Chennai by Utkalika under the directorate of handicrafts and handlooms. This is the third GI for the handicrafts sector of Odisha in the last one year, the official said of Odisha textiles and handicrafts department.
The GI application has been filed with documents covering different types of production processes and products developed across the state using brass and scrap material as the main raw material. Multiple clusters across 28 districts in the state have been covered under the application, he said.
Earlier, GI registration in respect of Konark stone carving, Pipili applique work & Odisha Pattachitra have been obtained.
Further, the official informed that GI applications have already been filed before the Registrar of Geographical Indication on silver filigree (Chandi Tarakasi) of Cuttack and Odisha golden grass, which are pending with the Registry for award of GI.
Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 provides for registration & better protection of Geographical Indications relating to goods.
The Odisha government is taking proactive steps for GI registration of products under handicrafts sector not only to protect the uniqueness of handicraft products & unauthorised use, but also, to protect the interest of artisans & consumers.
This will also ensure brand promotion of the products in the international market. GI tags help in increasing awareness about the product and also aid the manufacturer of the product, the official said.
Moreover, the state is taking steps for filing the next application for GI tagging of Bellaguntha flexible brass fish, terracotta roof tiles of Barpalli, Bargarh; paper mache masks, Puri; straw craft, Jiral, Dhenkanal; lacquer toys, Balasore; Odisha dhokra casting; Nilagiri stone carving & utensils; Bolangir paddy craft; Subarnapur terracotta craft; Gajapati horn craft; Nabarangpur lacquered box; Talapatra pothi chitra of Puri (palm leaf engraving craft).