NEW DELHI, Feb 1: The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Wednesday that the centre would encourage each state set up a “Unity Mall” in their capitals, their most prominent tourism centres, or their financial capitals.
In her budget speech for the next financial year, Ms Sitharaman did not specify what the “unity mall” would be, its physical or non-physical structure, or how it would work. However, she said the unity malls would focus on the promotion and sale of the state’s own “ODOPs (one district, one product), GI products and other handicraft products, and for providing space for such products of all other States.”
One District, One Product is an initiative by the government which aims to make regional products more accessible, while providing capital to those who produce them. Under the scheme, the State identifies the chief product for a district, and then offers support for its processing, storage and marketing.
These products can be perishable agri produce, cereal-based products or food products like mango, potato, meat and fisheries. The scheme also supports traditional and innovative products including waste-to-wealth products, such as honey and herbal edible products.
A Geographical Indication Tag is given to agricultural, natural or manufactured products that originate from a specific geographical area due to which they possess unique characteristics and qualities, according to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). Essentially, the tag guarantees that the product is coming from that specific area. It’s kind of a trademark in the international market.
(Manas Dasgupta)