Chamba Chappal and Lahauli Knitted Socks & Gloves Registered under Geographical Indications Act 1999
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Himachal Pradesh Patent Information Centre (HPPIC), Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology & Environment (HIMCOSTE), has been able to get the Chamba Chappal and Lahauli Knitted Socks & Gloves registered under the Geographical Indications (GIs) of Goods Act, 1999 from the Registrar, Geographical Indications, Govt. of India. It is matter of pride for the State of Himachal Pradesh that Chamba Chappal and Lahauli Knitted Socks & Gloves, the valuable traditional crafts of Himachal Pradesh, have been registered by the Registrar of Geographical Indications, Govt. of India under the Geographical Indications (GIs) of Goods Act, 1999.
It is pertinent to mention that the applications for registration of Chamba Chappal under Geographical Indications of Goods Act, 1999 were filed jointly by Himachal Pradesh Patent Information Centre (HPPIC), Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology & Environment (HIMCOSTE), and Ambedkar Mission Society, Chamba on behalf of manufacturers/ producers of Chamba Chappal and the application of Lahauli Knitted Socks & Gloves was filed in collaboration with ‘Save Lahaul Spiti Society’ with the office of the Registrar of Geographic Indications, GoI, at Chennai. Chamba Chappal and Lahauli Knitted Socks & Gloves after Kullu Shawl, Kangra Tea, Chamba Rumal, Kinnauri Shawl, Kangra Painting, Himachali Chulli Oil and Himachali Kalazeera are respectively the eighth and ninth traditional products of Himachal Pradesh which will get protection under GI Act, 1999.
The Registration of Chamba Chappal and Lahauli Knitted Socks & Gloves under GI Act will prevent unauthorized production as well as misuse of the name of Chamba Chappal and Lahauli Knitted Socks & Gloves originating from a place different than the place of their origin i.e. no unauthorized manufacturers can call a chappal produced outside Chamba as Chamba Chappal or Chamba like chappal etc. Ambedkar Mission Society and Himachal Pradesh Patent Information Centre will further deal with issues related to GI.
Under the GI Act, unauthorized use and infringement of the registered Geographical Indication by producers other than those from the region of origin of these products can result in maximum of 3 years imprisonment and a fine of maximum of Rs. 2,00,000 under the GI Act. As such the market potential for Chamba Chappal and Lahauli Knitted Socks & Gloves will further increase resulting in a boost for the economy of these regions. Workshops will be organized by the Himachal Pradesh Council for Science Technology and Environment (HIMCOSTE), soon at Chamba and Keylong for the stakeholders of Chamba Chappal and Lahauli Knitted Socks & Gloves for formulating an Action Plan for future strategy.
Himachal Pradesh is the first State in the country to formulate a policy for the registration of Geographical Indications of Himachal Pradesh vide notification no. STE-F (1)-6/2004 dated 10th September, 2004 and STE-F(1)-1/2017 dated 28th April, 2018. As per the policy guidelines Himachal Pradesh Patent Information Centre, located in Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology & Environment (HIMCOSTE), has been declared as the nodal agency for identifying GIs of H.P and getting these registered under the GI Act so as to protect the interests of manufacturers/ producers/ artisans of the State of Himachal Pradesh. The HPPIC is the first Patent Information Centre in the country to take such an initiative.
This important initiative taken by Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology & Environment (HIMCOSTE), will result in boosting the State’s economy in modern era of globalization as well protecting and conserving the rich cultural heritage of Himachal Pradesh.
