Indian ministry pitches for GI tag for more Bengali sarees

The Indian textiles ministry has asked West Bengal weaving communities to apply for the geographical indication (GI) tag for intellectual property rights (IPR) protection of their crafts, such as Jamdani, Begumpuri and Bengali Tangail. 

Only three kinds of sarees from that state — Baluchari, Santipur and Dhaniakhali — have obtained the GI tag till now.

The weavers of scarves and stoles of Fulia should also apply for GI registration, deputy director of the textiles committee of the textiles ministry TK Rout told a news agency.

Even the export markets of these products would be protected with a GI tag, he said. The ministry was working to facilitate this process.

Two hundred and seventy products had been registered under the GI Act in the country, out of which 151 belong to the textiles and handicrafts segment.