GI of Darjeeling Tea with European Council challenged

The Tea Board is the Indian GI owner of the Darjeeling Tea. Tea Board constituted under the Tea Act 1935 is a statutory body meant to regulate its exports and trade.

In India its registration has been challenged solely on the ground that the Tea Board cannot be GI owner as they are not part of its value chain and/ or its producer. The objections are pending adjudication before the Registrar GI, Chennai.

Concealing its pendency, the Tea Board applied for GI of registration with European Council. The same has been put to public notice and objections have been filed within statutory period of six months.

There are more than 68000 farmers associated with Darjeeling Tea and they are its true owners.

So for right cause, it is necessary that the Tea board while doing its statutory duties under Tea Act 1935 should not exceed its jurisdiction and powers and handover the Darjeeling Tea GI to its rightful owners.