India’s Union Textiles Minister Smriti Zubin Irani inaugurated a two-day long national workshop on ‘Promotion of Unique Textiles and Handicrafts GI and Post-GI Initiatives’ being organized under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, at Constitution Club of India, New Delhi. Irani was also accompanied by Minister of State, Textiles, Ajay Tamta.
The Minister highlighted the importance of building consumer awareness on this matter, while addressing the inaugural session. The Geographical Indication (GI) tag helps not only weavers and artisans, but also the consumers, said Irani. She also said that the GI tag is an assurance of getting the right product at the right price, directly from the weaver/artisan. Noting that many of the challenges in GI are faced after obtaining GI registration, the Minister called for the need to build a wider appreciation of the value of GI among all stakeholders, in order for better implementation of the legal provisions.
She also announced that a GI help-desk would soon be set up in every Service Centre run by the Government for weavers and artisans. Irani added this would help bridge the information gap between Centre and the field, and would assist weavers and artisans in availing the benefits of Geographical Indications.
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The Minister also launched a helpline for handicraft artisans; the helpline number is 1800-2084-800. Recalling that the problems of 6,707 weavers have been resolved so far through the Bunkar Mitra helpline for handloom weavers, the Minister said that the Handloom Census has started, and that weavers will be given identity cards at the next National Handloom Day.
Irani assured the audience that the points raised during the workshop will be taken up by the Textiles Committee for the consideration of the Government. She also said that the Ministry of Textiles would take up issues requiring changes to the legal framework with the Ministry of Law & Justice.
The Minister also released a Compendium of Indian Handicrafts & Handlooms covered under Geographical Indications (GI), which has been compiled by NCDPD, on behalf of Ministry of Textiles. The compendium contains list and details of all 149 Indian Handicrafts & Handlooms covered under GI, till April 2017. The compendium also consists of the list of awardees of GI-tagged handicraft and handloom products.
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