Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who presented the state’s first e-budget at the Legislative Assembly has proposed to add Geographical Indicator (GI) tag to some indigenous products of Assam.
Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “The nation mostly associates the image of Assam with tea and rhinoceros. However, there are many indigenous items that have originated in Assam but seldom got their due recognition.”
“Items like traditional jewellery of Assam, Blacksmithy of Koronga (Jorhat), bell metal craft of Sarthebari, Brass metal craft of Hajo, Endi silk, local liquor (Laopani, Saaj), ‘Komal Chaul’ (soft rice), ‘Joha Chaul’ (aromatic rice), ‘Bora Chaul’ (Sticky rice), ‘Kopou Ful’ (a local orchid), and ‘Fulam Japi’ (decorated Japi) are all indigenous to Assam but have yet to fully realize their potential in the national and international market,” Sarma said.
GI status for these items will enhance the demand of these exotic items at both national and at international level.
“Increase in export of these items will also boost the economy and increase tourism, directly enhancing the livelihood of the people like farmers and artisans involved in production of these arts and crafts,” he said, adding that the government will try to get GI tag to all these items.