Bhopal: The matter of giving the status of basmati paddy producing state to Madhya Pradesh, which has been in operation for twelve years, seems to be resolved. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has decided to withdraw the objections raised for the GI tag (geographical indicator). Now the Union Agriculture Ministry will take action on this. At the same time, Madhya Pradesh can also withdraw the special leave petition filed in the Supreme Court. APEDA has forwarded the proposal to give GI tag to Sharabati wheat with approval to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Basmati paddy is cultivated in a large number in 14 districts of the state but due to lack of GI tag, it cannot be sold in the name of Basmati in Madhya Pradesh. Taking advantage of this, traders buy basmati paddy at low rates from farmers and export their rice in the name of other states. The issue first arose in the year 2008 and the then Shivraj government made efforts to get Basmati paddy recognized but was not successful. The matter has since been disputed.
In August 2020, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi objecting to efforts to get a GI tag for Basmati paddy in Madhya Pradesh. On this, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, reacting sharply, terming the Congress Government of Punjab as anti-farmers of Madhya Pradesh. Also, quoting historical documents, it was stated in the Scindia State records that in 1944 the farmers of the state were supplied seeds. The Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad has recorded in a production oriented survey report that basmati has been produced in Madhya Pradesh for 25 years.
APEDA director Chetan Singh said that in the board meeting it has been decided that the objection against the GI tag will be withdrawn. At the same time, a proposal to give GI tag to Sharbati wheat has also been sent to the Union Ministry of Agriculture with approval. Agriculture Minister Kamal Patel said that our claim was strong, hence APEDA has decided to withdraw the valid tax objection. Sharabati wheat is famous all over the country as the wheat of Madhya Pradesh. It will be confirmed by getting a GI tag. In Sehore, Raisen, Vidisha, Hoshangabad, Narsinghpur and other districts, its cultivation is more.
