Alphonso Mangoes from Maharashtra get GI Tag
The famed Alphonso mangoes, also known as ‘Hapus’ in the local language, from the districts of Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Palghar, Thane and Raigad in the state of Maharashtra, have been conferred with the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. These mangoes are popular not only in India but also cater to international markets owing to their unique taste, irresistible fragrance, and vibrant color.
Understanding Geographical Indication Tags
A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a sign used to identify goods that originate from a specific geographical location and are renowned for qualities or reputation attributed to their origin. A product bearing a GI tag assures consumers of its quality and distinctiveness, mainly due to its production, processing, or preparation being rooted in that particular region.
Rather than being exclusive to individual businesses or firms, GI tags are a form of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) that bestow rights of ownership on a community or group. Hence, they stand apart from other forms of IPRs, such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
The GI Act in India
The World Trade Organizations member, India, implemented the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999, which came into effect in 2003. This act aims to provide registration and protection of GI goods in India.
The law is managed by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, who also oversees the Registry of Geographical Indications. Located in Chennai, the registry includes among others, products like Darjeeling Tea, Mahabaleshwar Strawberry, Jaipur’s Blue Pottery, Banarasi Sarees, Tirupati Laddus, and Banaganapalle mangoes.
Asia’s First and India’s Maiden Methanol Cooking Fuel Program
Northeast and Assam Petro-chemicals, a state-owned company, introduced Asia’s first canister-based and India’s inaugural “Methanol Cooking Fuel Program”. A pilot project incorporating 500 households within the Assam Petro Complex is underway, planning to eventually extend to 40,000 households across multiple states including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Goa, and Karnataka.
The innovative Swedish Technology allows safe handling of methanol with no need for a piping system or regulator. This technology is scheduled to be manufactured on a large scale in India in the upcoming 18 months.
The Efficacy of Methanol as a Cooking Fuel
The canister-based cooking stoves and Methanol – Dimethyl Ether (DME), the gaseous form of methanol, pose a direct substitute to LPG, Kerosene, Wood, Charcoal and other cooking fuels. A 1.2 litres canister can last a family of three for about one month.
Furthermore, the cost energy equivalent of methanol is Rs. 650 per cylinder, which is significantly lower than an LPG cylinder costing Rs. 850, promising a minimum saving of 20%. The reduced cost and environmental benefits present methanol as an ideal alternative for household fuel, commercial, institutional and restaurant use, aligning with India’s objective to cut down crude oil imports and promote pollution-free cooking mediums.
