PANAJI
The State government has withdrawn its Geographical Indication (GI) application for ‘coconut vinegar’ after the GI Registry in Chennai raised concerns about the name’s generic nature.
Minister for Science and Technology Atanasio Monserrate, responding to an unstarred question from MLA Aleixo Lourenco, revealed that the application filed on May 1, 2019, was withdrawn based on the GI Registry’s recommendation due to the name’s generic nature.
Monserrate noted that ‘coconut vinegar’ is widely used across various Indian States, complicating its eligibility for GI status. “GI application for coconut vinegar filed earlier … withdrawn as suggested by GI Registry, Chennai because of its generic name issue and the same will be considered for re-filing again with proper documentary evidence for a suitable name as the name coconut vinegar is prevalent in many Indian States and therefore not accepted by GI Registry as per GI Act in force,” he said.
While the government has not set a specific timeline for re-filing, the minister mentioned that the department would work on identifying and organising genuine producers of coconut jaggery to form an association before re-applying.
Currently, the Goa State Council for Science and Technology has informed that GI applications for Coconut Feni and Goa Sweet Dodol are at various stages of examination with the GI Registry. Over the past year, the state has secured GI registration for five goods, with 13 more items under review.
GI REGISTERED GOODS
GI application Under process: Goa Manghillar Mango, Korgut Rice, Goa Mussarat Mango, Taleigao Brinjal, Goa Cashew (Nut & Apple), Goa coconut & shell items, Goa Urraq, Goa Ghumat, Goa Sausages, Coconut Feni, Goa Kunbi Saree and Fabrics, Goa Sweet Dodol, Goa Kaavi Art.
