Namma Kolhapuri chappal gets GI Tag

The Namma Kolhapuri chappal has obtained GI tag. The GI tag has been jointly received by Karnataka and Maharashtra. Kolhapuri chappals are made of leather and tanned using vegetable dyes.

Contradictory to popular perception there are a large number of artisans in Karnataka and have been making these chappals for centuries.

GI Tag

Geographical Indication (GI) Tag testifies the goods as originating in the territory of a country or a region if a given quality reputation or other characteristics of the product are attributable to its geographical origin.

To acquire a GI tag, the product has to testify belonging to a particular origin and has a certain quality or reputation or some other characteristics which are essentially attributable to its geographical origin.

The GI tag in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection Act), 1999 and is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, who is the Registrar of Geographical Indications and functions under the auspices of the Union ministry of commerce & industries.