Basmati , A common heritage of
Subcontinent
By Hamid Malik
19 Sep 2020
It's not as simple. There are 3 dimensions. Basmati is a common heritage of
subcontinent & that too belongs to a specific Geographical region of
Himalyian terrain qualify for both genotype(DNA) & phenotypical characters
like typical aroma, cylindrical shape,
3.8/4 ratio of width/length ration,
1.8 to 2.2 times post cooking elongation longitudinally rather than
swelling width wise, minimum AGL 7mm , photosynthetic, climate(night
temperature after flowering less than 36C & typical Soil. US company patent
award for TaXMATI was revoked on Genetically basis. Current GI battle in India
between GI declared areas of Haryana, Punjab, Himachal, Utranchal, 29 district
of UP & Madhya Pradesh is on phenotypic characters rather than genotype.
Now ownership of GI product can't be granted to individual. It's legitimate
right of growers of that area. In all kind of old literature in Sanskrit or
local language ,product is attributed to Himalyian terrain waters by 5 Eastern
rivers of combined Punjab(Chenab, Sind Jehlum, Ravi & Sutlej, 3 central
Punjab rivers Bias, Gangs & Yamuna(Jamna).
Let's come to current issue of ownership by India or Pakistan. By the
way Nepal(Himalyian proximity) & Bangladesh having Ganga river.
Initially India & Pakistan
applied GI Basmati region combindly. Latter on Pakistan entered into arena in
Indian court through BGA , Basmati Growers Association, a representative body
of Pakistan growers lead by late Mr. Hamid Malhi. Govt of Pakistan through
Commerce ministry was backing the move by providing financial ,legal &
logistics support. In India APEDA was defending petition on behalf of Indian
Govt. In Pakistan ,a split appeared between REAP(Exporters body) & BGA on
having ownership of Basmati GI. As a counter move Hamid Malhi submitted a petition
in Sind High Court to grant Basmati GI tag to BGA. In the meantime Govt of
Pakistan took almost 16 years to draft a GI law which finally is passed by
Parliament recently, thanks to untiring efforts & persistent follow up of
respectable Zulfikar Thaver sahib. Now we come to Indian application in EU.
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