GUWAHATI, July 22 � It�s good news for the State. The Muga Silk GI logo has now an authorised user and there are around 20 applications for obtaining the status of authorised Muga Silk GI logo users under process. Muga is so far the lone silk of the State, which obtained the geographical indication (GI) rights from the GI Registry of the country.
The use of Muga Silk GI logo is going to counter the threat posed by the unscrupulous traders to this shining golden silk unique to Assam. The logo, issued by the GI Registry, guarantees purity of the Muga Silk fabric being sold by the traders.
Talking to this newspaper, Amit Patgiri, the first authorised Muga Silk GI logo user, said he has been using the logo for the past about one month. He is dealing in Muga fabric as well as producing garments. He is using the products of the Amingaon-based Pilot Project (Technology Development and Production Centre for Muga Silk) set up by the Government two years back to produce mechanized Muga fabric, following the invention of the mechanized process by noted engineer Dulal Choudhury to produce fabric from the yarn of the golden silk.
Patgiri, 38, who is in the business for the past about ten years, underlined the need to popularise the Muga Logo to save the Muga industry of the State. Popularity of its use will ensure that the Muga silk of Assam is secured, no unscrupulous element can ruin the good name of this sparkling golden silk.
Those who deal in Muga, need to move the GI Registry, through the Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC), which is the proprietor of the GI rights of Muga on behalf of the State, seeking their registration as Authorised Muga Silk GI Logo Users to obtain the rights to use the Muga GI Logo in their products. The process is very simple, Patgiri said.
On the other hand, inventor of the mechanized process for producing Muga fabric, Dulal Choudhury laid emphasis on setting up a Muga purity testing laboratory at the Assam Textile Institute. This Laboratory should also be made the authority to issue authorization certificates too for the purpose. This will help the Muga industry a lot, Choudhury said.
