**Executive Summary:**
The Ministry of Textiles promotes the registration and protection of Geographical Indication (GI) tagged Indian textiles through various schemes, including the Handloom Marketing Assistance (HMA) and National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP). Financial assistance is provided for registration expenses, training, and promotional activities. The GI Act of 1999 offers legal protection against unauthorized use, with support available for enforcement and legal redress.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Financial and Institutional Support:**
* The Government supports GI registration of handloom and handicraft products under the GI of Goods Registration Protection Act, 1999.
* Schemes like HMA and NHDP provide financial aid via the Development Commissioner (DC) Handloom and DC Handicrafts.
* Financial assistance includes:
* Rs. 1.50 lakh for registration expenses.
* Rs. 1.50 lakh for training personnel for GI enforcement.
* Funding for seminars and workshops.
* **GI Registration and Promotion:**
* 106 handloom products, 6 product logos, and 227 handicraft products are registered under the GI Act, 1999.
* GI products are promoted in export markets by DC Handloom and DC Handicrafts.
* Exhibitions, crafts melas, and events like "GI Beyond Virasat se VikasTak" promote GI handloom products.
* The Central Silk Board implements the Silk Samagra-2 scheme to support GI-tagged silk products.
* **Legal Protection and Enforcement:**
* The GI Act, 1999 provides legal protection and prevents unauthorized use of GI products.
* Registered users can approach police authorities against illegal manufacturing and marketing.
* State Handlooms & Textiles Departments are advised to protect GI registered Handloom products.
* Financial assistance up to Rs. 1.50 lakh is available for enforcement, legal cases, and documentation.
* DC Handicrafts provides financial aid for standardization and legal fees.
* GI Help desks are set up in Handicraft Service Centers to assist artisans on GI related issues.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Handloom and Handicraft Artisans/Producers:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from financial assistance for GI registration, training, and promotion, leading to enhanced market access and protection against counterfeits.
* *Action Required:* Utilize available financial assistance for GI registration, participate in training programs, and report any instances of unauthorized use to relevant authorities.
* **State Handlooms & Textiles Departments:**
* *Impact:* Need to provide protection to GI registered Handloom products and facilitate enforcement of GI rights within their jurisdiction.
* *Action Required:* Make special efforts to provide protection to GI registered Handloom products and coordinate with police authorities to address instances of infringement.
* **Development Commissioner (DC) Handloom and DC Handicrafts:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for implementing schemes and providing financial assistance for GI registration and promotion.
* *Action Required:* Administer HMA and NHDP schemes, conduct workshops and seminars, organize promotional events, and provide assistance to artisans.
Key Entities Referenced
Geographical Indication GI of Goods Registration Protection Act 1999: An act providing for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods.
Ministry of Textiles: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation of policy, planning, development, and regulation of the textile industry.
National Handloom Development Programme NHDP: A scheme implemented by the Office of Development Commissioner Handloom, Ministry of Textiles, to support the handloom sector.
National Handicrafts Development Programme NHDP: A scheme implemented by the Office of Development Commissioner Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles, to support the handicrafts sector.
Handloom Marketing Assistance HMA: A scheme to provide financial assistance for the promotion of handloom products.
Dilli Haat: A crafts bazaar run by Delhi Tourism, showcasing Indian handicrafts and cuisine.
Central Silk Board: An organization under the Ministry of Textiles responsible for the development of the silk industry in India.
Silk Samagra2 scheme: A scheme implemented by Central Silk Board for the development of silk sector in the country
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2564
TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2025
PROMOTION OF GI TAGGED INDIAN TEXTILES
2564. SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA:
Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री
be pleased to state :
(a) whether the Government provides any financial or institutional support for the promotion of GI-
Tagged Indian Textiles;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to protect GI-tagged textile products from counterfeit
products in domestic and export markets;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether there is a mechanism for regular monitoring and legal redress in such cases and if so, the
details thereof?
उत्तर
ANSWER
वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री (श्री पबित्र मार्घरे रटा)
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES
(SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)
(a) & (b): Ministry of Textiles, Government of India promotes registration under Geographical
Indication (GI) of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act 1999, in respect of handloom and handicraft
products in pan India under the scheme Handloom Marketing Assistance (HMA), National Handloom
Development Programme (NHDP) implemented by O/o Development Commissioner (Handloom) and
National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) implemented by O/o Development
Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles wherein financial assistance is provided for the
following:
1. Rs. 1.50 lakh for meeting the expenses in registering the designs/products.
2. Rs.1.50 lakh to impart training to personnel of IA and for effective enforcement of G.I.
registration.
3. Also, financial assistance is provided for organizing seminars, workshops etc.
Total 106 handloom products, 6 products logos and 227 handicraft products have been registered
under the GI Act, 1999. GI handloom products and handicraft products are also promoted in export
market by O/o Dc (Handloom) and the O/o DC (Handicrafts). Various workshop/seminars are conducted
across the country for sensitization of artisans on GI Act including other topics under the NHDP Scheme
run by DC (Handicrafts).Further, to promote the GI handloom products exhibitions are organised across the country including
participation in various crafts melas and Dilli Haat programme. Recently, an event - GI & Beyond
"Virasat se VikasTak", a GI Seminar was organized highlighting and to promote the unique cultural and
historical significance of GI-tagged handloom products from various regions, demonstrating their
authenticity and craftsmanship to a global audience.
Government of India through Central Silk Board is implementing “Silk Samagra-2” scheme for the
development of silk sector in the country and supporting states to enhance production of silk and silk
products including GI-tagged silk products.
(c) to (e): The Geographical Indications (GI) of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 provides
legal protection to the GI of goods etc. and prevents unauthorized use of these by others. Registered
users of GI products have rights under the GI Act, 1999 to approach the respective police authorities to
safeguard their interests against illegal manufacturing / marketing of GI registered handloom products.
State Handlooms & Textiles Departments have been advised to make special efforts to provide
protection to such GI registered Handloom products.
Financial assistance of up to ₹1.50 lakh (or actual, as approved by concerned department) is
provided for effective enforcement of GI registration, legal cases related to the protection of GIs, and
preparation of legal documentation.
Financial assistance for attaining standardization, legal fee for contesting cases and to take
safeguards against issues affecting the handicraft sector of the country as per actual and/or as approved
by DC (Handicrafts). O/o DC (Handicrafts) has also set up GI Help desk in each Handicraft Service
Centers to provide assistance to Handicraft artisans and other stakeholders on GI related issues.
****