Even while admitting that duplication of Geographical Indication (GI)-registered handloom products is indeed taking place across the country, the Textile Ministry said that such malpractice is hampering the niche market of these products.
Such duplication is not only hindering the niche market of the handloom products, but also affecting their market value due to encroachment of their registered geographical indications.
In a press release, the ministry said, “Recently, the Ministry of Textiles has received complaints from various handloom associations/unions, stating that duplicate versions of their famous GI-registered handloom products are being manufactured by the mechanised sector of the textiles and sold in the market by some textile marketing companies in the names of GI registered handloom products.”
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A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on certain products that corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (like a city, region or country).
India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into force from September 15, 2003. In all, 48 important and traditional handloom products are registered under this act.
The ministry said that the authorised officers at the Centre and of the State government have been instructed to pay special attention to complaints of fake GI-registered handlooms products being sighted.
Under the provisions of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection), Act, 1999, the registered users of GI-registered products have rights to approach respective police authorities to safeguard their interests against any illegal manufacturing and marketing of GI registered handloom products. Last year, a complaint was filed by the authorised users of GI-registered handloom products in Telangana.
The ministry informed, “FIR was filed on December 17, 2015 in the Pochampally Police Station, Telangana by the authorised users of the GI-registered handloom products of Pochampally ikat sarees against the sellers/manufacturers for selling/manufacturing duplicate GI registered product.”
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
