GUWAHATI, April 1 � Even as the State�s mulberry silk sector is facing the brunt of invasion by low quality products of other parts of the country, the threats faced by the muga sector of the State from the products made of low-quality yarn are expected to be over shortly.
The State�s muga got its geographical indication (GI) rights sealed in July 2006 and it is on the threshold of receiving the required logo from the GI Registry of the country. This logo is expected to provide a shield of protection to the State�s muga sector to rebuff the attacks of unscrupulous traders.
Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) Director HC Dutta told this correspondent here today that the Patent Information Centre (PIC) of the Council, which is the registered proprietor of the State�s muga, has already completed the process of presenting its case before the GI Registry for the logo.
It is expected that the logo will be cleared by the GI Registry within a short period, said the ASTEC Director.
Soon after the issuance of the logo to the State for its muga products, the ASTEC PIC will be in a position to recommend issuance of it to those users who have already or who are being registered with the GI Registry for producing, selling, etc., of muga products, he said.
But, according to sources in the Patent Information Centre of the ASTEC, the current problem faced by the State�s mulberry silk industry, which has been highlighted by the latest developments at Sualkuchi, has arisen due to the absence of any registration of its traditional designs.