**Summary:**
This document addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 248 regarding the application for a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Nagauri Pan Methi (fenugreek) from Nagaur Lok Sabha Constituency. The application was filed with the Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) on August 13, 2024, by the Agriculture Produce Mandi Committee (APMC), KUMS, Bikaner Road, Nagaur, Rajasthan. A preliminary examination report was issued on August 22, 2024, to which the applicant responded on January 25, 2025. A hearing was held on March 17, 2025, resulting in a request for application modification. The applicant reverted with modifications on May 7, 2025. A pre-hearing for the application evaluation by the expert committee is scheduled for August 4, 2025. The granting of GI status is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999, and the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Rules, 2002, with GI status conferred only upon products meeting the specified eligibility criteria outlined in the Act and Rules.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Commerce and Industry: The Indian government ministry responsible for international trade and industrial development.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL: Member of Parliament who raised the question about the GI tag for Pan Methi.
Pan Methi of Nagaur: The specific variety of fenugreek grown in Nagaur, Rajasthan, which is seeking a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Nagaur, Rajasthan: A city and district in the state of Rajasthan, India, known for its Pan Methi.
Geographical Indications Registry GIR: The Indian government organization responsible for registering and protecting geographical indications.
Agriculture Produce Mandi Committee APMC, KUMS, Bikaner Road, Nagaur, Rajasthan: The applicant organization seeking the GI tag for Nagauri Pan Methi.
Geographical Indications of Goods Registration Protection Act, 1999: The Indian law governing the registration and protection of Geographical Indications in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 248.
TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 22ND JULY, 2025.
GI TAG TO PAN METHI OF NAGAUR
248. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:
वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री
(a) whether any application is pending with the Government for granting GI tag to
the world-famous Pan Methi of Nagaur Lok Sabha Constituency, if so, the
details thereof; and
(b) whether the Government proposes to grant GI tag to Pan Methi at the earliest
in order to provide it global recognition and to safeguard the interest of Methi-
producing farmers, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a): The Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) has received an application for
providing Geographical Indications to “Nagauri Pan Methi” filed by Agriculture
Produce Mandi Committee (APMC), KUMS, Bikaner Road, Nagaur, Rajasthan
on 13.08.2024. A Preliminary Examination Report was issued to the applicants
on 22.08.2024, calling upon the applicants to comply with the deficiencies
raised, which was replied on 25.01.2025. Accordingly, a hearing was scheduled
on 17.03.2025 and the applicants were directed to modify the application and
rectify the deficiencies or shortcomings in the application. The applicants
reverted on 07.05.2025. Before the evaluation of the application by the expert
committee, Pre hearing for application is scheduled on 04.08.2025.
(b): Granting GI status to a product is guided by Geographical Indications of Goods
(Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 and Geographical Indications of Goods
(Registration & Protection) Rules, 2002. Only such products whose application
are found eligible as per the specified criteria under above mentioned Act and
Rules are granted status as a Geographical Indication.
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