Telangana's GI growth needs policy support

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Telangana has steadily expanded its portfolio of Geographical Indication (GI) products over the years, but experts believe the State is yet to realise the full benefits of the GI ecosystem due to weak institutional support, limited authorised users, inadequate marketing and poor enforcement.

Speaking to Metro India, Subhajit Saha of Resolute IP Services said Telangana currently has around 18 registered GI products, while nearly 15 more applications are under examination. However, he noted that registration alone is not translating into benefits for artisans and producers.

Citing Pochampally as an example, Saha said that although the handloom received GI registration in 2004 and supports thousands of weavers and master weaver families, only four authorised users are officially registered. Experts say this reflects a wider gap in the GI ecosystem and have recommended making it mandatory for registered proprietors to enrol authorised users within six months of obtaining GI status, ensuring that more genuine producers receive legal recognition and market access.

Experts also believe Telangana needs a dedicated State GI policy to complement national efforts. Such a policy could focus on branding, marketing, exports, enforcement and capacity building while promoting exclusive GI marketplaces on the lines of Rythu Bazars, allowing artisans to sell directly to consumers instead of depending on multiple intermediaries. They say this would help producers secure better prices while preserving the authenticity of GI products.

According to experts, existing GI products also require sustained promotion through initiatives such as GI tourism, GI ambassadors and coordinated branding campaigns. They have further proposed annual reporting by GI proprietors on sales, exports, branding activities and collaborations, along with mandatory annual quality certification to ensure standards are maintained after registration.

Experts have also backed stronger legal protection through mandatory use of the Registered GI logo, enhanced penalties for infringement and the introduction of a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) category for traditional food products such as Hyderabadi Biryani and Irani Chai, which could receive recognition without establishing geographical origin.

They further stressed that while every GI product can qualify as a One District One Product (ODOP) product, not every ODOP product satisfies the legal requirements for GI registration.

These recommendations are expected to be placed before the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as part of the ongoing exercise to amend the Geographical Indications Act.