Why in News?

• Apart from identifying & protecting the product’s Geographical Indications (GI) rights, the Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) under the Central Ministry of Commerce has accepted the petition to rename Bihar Makhana as Mithila Makhana and has also suggested further changes to the brand logo to better reflect its origins.

About GI Tag to Mithila Makhana

• The development has put an end to the debate over the branding of one of the Mithila region’s most famous Makhana or Fox nut products.
• Following a review of the application for a name change, a consultation panel of experts led by Prashanth Kumar S Bhairappanavar, a senior examiner at Geographic Indication Registry (GIR), ruled that certain post-registration conditions must be completed.

What is GI Tag?

• A geographical indicator (GI) is a name or sign that appears on certain items and refers to a specific geographic area of origin.
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 protects products having a GI tag.