State to apply for GI for 'Kolkati' jewellery

Kolkata: The Mamata Banerjee government is in the process of applying for GI (Geographical Indication) status for its typically handcrafted jewellery -'Kolkati'.

"We have already achieved GI for seven products with Darjeeling Tea being one of them. This light weight gold jewellery manufactured by artisans in the state has great demand worldwide.

IIT Kharagpur is working with us to conduct a technical study on it to forward the case to the appropriate forum," state Finance and

Industry minister Amit Mitra said at an interactive session on jewellery industry organised by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) in Kolkata on Tuesday.

Mitra said that the GI status will prevent these designs from getting copied, thereby boosting the export potential from Kolkata.

A GI tag is granted by the Geographical Indications Registry on recommendations of the Chennai-based Intellectual Property Appellate Board.

It is usually granted when a geographical location adds a certain quality to a product, GI vouches for its authenticity and is more often

granted to a community than an individual or

enterprise. The Bengal government had earlier applied for GI in Burdwan's Sitabhog and Mihidana.

The Finance minister said that the government is giving a push to the gems and jewellery sector due to its tremendous job potential. At the event, Pravin Pandya, National chairman of Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) offered to take up the 20000 square feet land at Ankurhati in Howrah where they will come up with a common facility centre. "We will be setting up two more common facility centres in Bengal," Pandya said.

Mitra said that the government is readying a 5 acre land at Bonhooghly in the northern fringes of the city where GJEPC may set up an artisan cluster in which the latter is interested.

"I have also sought DPR from GJEPC for a single window one stop jewellery park in Bengal. I have assured them that land will not be a problem and once the DPR on their part is submitted, we will set the ball rolling," Mitra added.

According to him, a big private company is also exploring to set up a jewellery park in the state.