Kolhapuri chappal was registered under Geographical Indication (GI) in July 2019 by Sant Rohidas Leather Industries & Charmakar Development Corporation limited (LIDCOM), a Government of Maharashtra Undertaking and Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation Limited (LIDKAR), Bangaluru, Karnataka facilitated by Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Therefore, the matter has been taken up by the concerned agency in support of the Maharastra’s GI artisans.

To protect traditional designs infringement the office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) provides financial supports for GI registration of the traditional crafts under the Research & Development component of the National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP). It also conducts workshop/seminar to sensitize the artisans about the importance of GI registration & usage as a authorized user. Under the marketing component of the NHDP scheme, marketing events are held from time to time with GI theme pavilion to popularize & educate the consumers.

To promote the export potential of such artisan’s product the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) implements craft demonstration programmes in International Trade Fairs and Exhibitions, provide support to Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), organize Design and Capacity Building programme, facilitate Digital Onboarding and e-Commerce Enablement to promote GI-Tagged Crafts in both domestic & international markets.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.      

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MAM/SMP

(Rajya Sabha US Q1597)

(Release ID: 2151228)