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MP, Punjab chief ministers spar over GI tagging of Basmati rice

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 8/7/2020 11:35:35 AM

Bhopal, Aug 6 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has reacted strongly to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which he has urged not to allow Geographical Indication (GI) tagging of Basmati rice to the central state. "I condemn the letter written by the Punjab government to the prime minister regarding GI tagging of Basmati rice and consider it politically motivated," Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in a tweet issued early Thursday morning. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on August 5 had written a letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him not to allow GI tagging of Basmati rice originating from Madhya Pradesh in larger interest of state that already have GI tagging. Captain Amarinder Singh in his letter had pointed out that the country exports Basmati rice to the tune of around Rs 33,000 crore every year and GI tagging of Basmati rice originating from MP could lead to an advantage to Pakistan which also produces rice under similar tagging. Among the states that already have GI tagging for Basmati rice that is issued under the Goods Registration and Protection Action of 1991 are Punjab.