Punjab, Haryana unable to reap benefits of GI

Punjab Economy

Punjab and Haryana boast of many locally produced unique goods by artisans. However, both the states are unable to reap the benefits due to low awareness about Geographical Indication (GI) tags.
Of the expansive list of over 300 products that have been granted GI status in India, only one product i.e phulkari — Punjab’s traditional embroidery — carries the GI tag. Phulkari, made across Punjab and two districts in Haryana, namely Ambala and Hisar, carries the GI tag.
In agriculture category, basmati from Punjab and Haryana carries GI tag along with Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and western Uttar Pradesh.
More eligible products like Panipat furnishing, Punjabi ‘jutti’, Patiala ‘salwar’ can be filed for GI tags. But at the same time, utmost care should be taken to educate the artisans to reap the benefits. The real purpose is preserving the art and at the same time the rural artisans should harvest the premium price associated with it.