Geographical Indication (GI) Tags of Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh, a state in Central India, is the second-largest Indian state by area and fifth-largest state by population and is bordered by Uttar Pradesh in the northeast, Chhattisgarh in the southeast, Maharashtra in the south, Gujarat in the west, and Rajasthan in the northwest. Madhya Pradesh retains landmarks from eras throughout Indian history through its famous Hindu and Jain temples at Khajuraho which are renowned for their carvings of erotic scenes, including the most prominently Kandariya Mahadeva, a temple consisting of more than 800 sculptures. It is also a home to the eastern Bandhavgarh and Kanha national parks, including Bengal tiger sanctuaries. Madhya Pradesh has bagged 11 Geographical Indication (GI) Tags till now, the latest being Jhabua Kadaknath Black Chicken Meat. However, there are 2 other products, namely, Bell Metal Ware of Datia and Tikamgarh (Logo) and Leather Toys of Indore (Logo) of this state which were refrained from being given GI Tags.

The applications for the GI Tags for Bell Metal Ware of Datia and Tikamgarh (Logo) (click here to access documents) and Leather Toys of Indore (Logo) (click here to access documents) were rejected by the Geographical Indications Registry of Chennai in 2018. They both are handicraft products and their applications for GI Tags were filed by Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) on 8^th January 2015. In both cases, the Registry found shortcomings in the contents of the applications, and notices were served to the applicant under Rule 31 to comply with the same. An examination report citing the deficiencies in the applications was also served to the applicant, requiring him to cure the scarcities but no reply was received and the inadequacies cited by the registry were not properly addressed by the applicant.

Also, in the case of ‘Bell Metal Ware of Datia and Tikamgarh (Logo) it was found by the Registry from the records that on 5^th July 2007, an application was filed before the Registrar of GI by the same applicant regarding the registration of Bell Metal Ware of Datia and Tikamgarh as a geographical indication in application no. 102 and the said application was registered on 10^th July 2008 (valid up to 4th July 2027). Further, the same applicant has filed another application in GI No. 388 for the registration of Logo for the same product on 11/12/2012 and the same was accepted by the registration and a registration certificate was issued on 03/02/2014 and the Logo designed by the applicant got registered along with the earlier application. In the instant case, an application was filed by the applicant for another logo.

The same occurred in the case of Leather Toys of Indore (Logo). It was found by the Registry from the records that on 13/06/2007, the same applicant filed an application before the Registrar of GI for registration of Leather Toys of Indore (Logo) as a Geographical Indication in application no. 97 and the said application was registered on 10/07/2008 (valid up to 12/06/2027). Further, the same applicant filed another application in GI No. 399 for registration of Logo for the same product on 29/01/2013 and the same was accepted by the registry and a registration certificate was issued on 13/11/2014 and the Logo designed by the applicant got registered along with the earlier application and the logo application is valid up to 28/01/2023. Also, in this case, an application was filed by the applicant for another one logo.

Thus, the applications for GI Tags of both products were rejected because the ‘Logos’ of both products already got registered and got vide publicity and impression among the general public. Registration of subsequent logos for the same products would certainly cause confusion among the end users.

Application Details of ‘Bell Metal Ware of Datia and Tikamgarh (Logo)’ are mentioned below-

Application Details

Application Details of ‘Leather Toys of Indore (Logo)’ are mentioned below-

Application Details

Jhabua Kadaknath Black Chicken Meat is food stuff, whose application for GI Tag was filed by Gramin Vikas Trust (Established and supported by KRIBHCO, Government of India) on 8th February 2012 and the product was certified on 31st July, 2018. The Application Details of ‘Jhabua Kadaknath Black Chicken Meat’ are mentioned below-

Application Details

Jhabua Kadaknath Black Chicken Meat also spelled as ‘Karaknath’ and locally known as ‘Kali Masi’ which means black meat, is an Indian Breed of Chicken. This meat is called black meat because the bird is black inside and outside skin, feathers, legs, meat, blood etc, even most of the internal organs including skeletal muscles, tendons, nerves, brain, etc show intense black colouration because of the deposition of melanin pigmentation, a genetic condition called “Fibromelanosis”, in the connective tissue of organs and in the dermis. The flesh, although repulsive to look at, is very delicious and very popular among the tribal people or Adiwasis due to its special capabilities such as adaptability to local environmental conditions, disease resistance, meat quality, texture, and flavor. Though the meat and eggs are comparatively expensive but are a rich source of protein, also, the meat is regarded as a delicacy and has a good demand in the market.

‘Jet-black pencilled’ and ‘Golden’ are the commonly available varieties of Kadaknath. As the name suggests, this foodstuff is originated from the ‘Jhabua’ district of Madhya Pradesh, however, it is also famous in ‘Dhar’ and ‘Barwani’ districts of Madhya Pradesh and also in the adjoining districts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Kadaknath, the native poultry breed of Madhya Pradesh is well suited to extreme climatic conditions as it tolerates extreme heat and cold climatic conditions and requires minimal costs for maintenance. Kadaknath is prominent for its adaptability, and luscious black meat, which is believed to permeate robustness. The breed is valued by the tribals for its cultural as well health values and is also considered as sacred.

Kadaknath possesses a distinctive taste and is rich in iron and amino acids and is low in fat and cholesterol. The breed is disease-resistant and is valued for the quality and flavor of its black meat. Kadaknath chicken contains many kinds of amino acids (18 kinds of amino acids including the 8 essential amino acids for the human body), Vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, C, and E, niacin, protein, fat, calcium, phosphorous, iron, nicotinic acid, etc. Kadaknath also possesses many medicinal uses, like, its blood is used in the treatment of chronic disease in human beings and its meat is believed to be an aphrodisiac. Kadaknath chicken helps in curing nervous disorders, women’s sterility, menoxenic (abnormal menstruation), habitual abortion, blood leucorrhoea, metorrhagia and sickness after giving birth to offspring and also aids in curing pulmonary problems, namely, tuberculosis (TB), heart diseases, neurasthenia and children’s osteomalacia neurasthenia. The eggs of Kadaknath Chicken are ideally nutritive, especially for old people, and high blood pressure victims, since the cholesterol contact is lower and free amino acids which are found to be higher than that of eggs of other kinds of birds and they help in treating headaches, headaches after giving birth, faintness, asthma, and nephritis.

GI Tags of Madhya Pradesh are-

Handicraft Products:

1. Chanderi Sarees [here]
2. Leather Toys of Indore [here]
3. Bagh Prints of Madhya Pradesh [here]
4. Bell Metal Ware of Datia and Tikamgarh [here]
5. Maheshwar Sarees & Fabrics [here]
6. Bell Metal Ware of Datia and Tikamgarh (Logo) [here]
7. Leather Toys of Indore (Logo) [here]
8. Bagh Prints of Madhya Pradesh (Logo) [here]

Agricultural Products:

1. Nagpur Orange [here]

Food Stuff:

1. Ratlami Sev [here]
2. Jhabua Kadaknath Black Chicken Meat [here]