New Delhi, Dec 31 (KNN) As many as 330 Geographical Indications (GIs) have been registered as on December 24, 2018, said C. R. Chaudhary, Minister of State of Commerce and Industry.

In a written reply to Lok Sabha, he said “The Government has undertaken several steps for promotion of Indian products registered as GIs like participation in trade fairs and other events to promote and create awareness on GIs.”

Also, government has taken various measures to increase the sales of GI products, promotion of GIs through social media, involving state governments and union territory administration and other relevant organizations for facilitation of GI producers.

He said “Till November 30, the GI Registry, Chennai has received 4850 GI authorized user applications, out of which 3607 GI authorized users have been registered.”

The remaining 1243 pending applications have already been examined and report issued to the applicants to remedy deficiencies, which include providing supporting documents and complete applicant details, he added.

In order to spread awareness for registration of GI authorized users, he said awareness programmes are conducted for concerned stakeholders at various places in the country.

Describing the process of application for registering a geographical indication for any goods, he said that the processing involves issuing of a preliminary examination report to remedy deficiencies in the application, if any. Thereafter, a consultative group comprising of subject experts is constituted to evaluate and ascertain the correctness of the particulars furnished in the application and its supporting documents.”

Based on the recommendations by the consultative group, an examination report is issued to the applicant. After necessary compliances to conditions and removal of objections, if any, the application is accepted and published for public to file opposition, if any, within the stipulated period. If no opposition is received, or if it is disposed off in favour of the applicant, the GI is registered, he added.

In the case of an application for registration as authorized user, it is examined and deficiencies, if any, communicated to the applicant. Once these are removed, the application is registered, said Chaudhary.

Further, he mentioned that the onus of removing the deficiencies and complying with the conditions lies with the applicant, the time taken for which may delay the disposal of the application.

The online system of filing GI applications is operational since March, 2015.

However, examination of the application is done offline. There is no proposal to make the system of examination online, he added.

Geographical Indications (GIs) are registered as per the provisions of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999.