KALA KUMBH – Handicrafts Exhibitions for promotion of GI Crafts

News:The Ministry of Textiles is organising the Kala Kumbh – Handicrafts Thematic Exhibition in various parts of the country.

Facts:

About Kala Kumbh:

• It is an exhibition to promote GI (Geographical Indication) crafts and heritage of India. 
• It is being organized through the Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) under the Ministry of Textiles.
• It is sponsored by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts(EPCH).

About GI tag:

• A geographical indication(GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 provides registration and also protection of GI goods in India.
• The act is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and trademarks under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• As of August 2019, 178 GI handicraft products are registered from all over India.

About EPCH:

• Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts(EPCH) was established as a non-profit organisation under Companies Act in 1986-87.
• It aims to promote, support, protect, maintain and increase the export of handicrafts.