Pure muga silk products, purity testing methods to be exhibited

From a Correspondent

BOKO, Sept 10: The Patent Centre (PIC) of Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) will organize an exhibition on the subject 'Muga Silk of Assam- A Registered Geographical Indication' at Assam Textile Institute, Ambari, Guwahati on September 20 and September 21. The exhibition aims to exhibit pure muga silk products and their purity testing methods.

Due to adulteration, muga silk has lost its demand in the market. Most shops sell counterfeit fabric as muga and hence most visitors from outside the State avoid purchasing muga products. Even after getting Geographical Indication (GI), the government has not taken any action to implement GI Act in the State. Now after 10 years, the Patent Centre of Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) has taken the initiative to create awareness among the people.

R Marak, an authority user said, "We have lost the faith in GI Act due to the government's negligence. Traders are openly selling tassar or other low quality fabric as muga or munga. This is not only in Assam, I have seen this in Kolkata and Goa also. Now ASTEC has taken a positive initiative but the Government of Assam should also show goodwill to implement this Act in letter and spirit."

A Geographical Indication (GI) is an indication of a famous geographical area that is used in agricultural, tural or manufactured goods to identify them as origiting from that geographical area. Such goods have special qualities or characteristics or reputation based upon the climate or production characteristics unique to that geographical area.

In India, GI is legislated by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The Act is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademark.

The century-old tradition related to the production and use of muga silk is slowly disappearing from Assam. The Patent Information Centre (PIC) of ASTEC, which is the only centre in Assam for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) services, realized this and applied for GI registration of the muga silk to the GI Registrar in Cheni.

The silk was successfully registered as a GI med 'Muga Silk of Assam' with effect from July 20, 2006 and numbered as GI No. 55/384. The muga silk products of Assam can encash on the GI as its unique selling proposition at the State, tiol and intertiol markets. GI products are 'origil' products from a geographical area, not to forget the associated high value and gains. GI products do away with duplicity and bring trust to that geographical area and the people.

The GI Muga Silk of Assam and the logo can be used in muga silk goods only by a person who has obtained registration as 'authorized user' of Muga Silk of Assam. If any other person uses the GI Muga Silk of Assam and logo, it will be considered as 'illegal'. Such uuthorized use may result in a jail term ranging from six months to three years or paying a fine between Rs 50,000 to Rs 3 lakh under the GI Act.