Postal department plans to bring out special covers on GI products in Karnataka

HAVERI: India Post has planned to introduce special covers on Geographical Indication (GI) products in Karnataka. Initially, it will choose 10 products having GI tags, including Byadagi chilli. In this regard, the authorities have already conducted a meeting with Byadagi APMC authorities and others.
According to the department, special covers have philately value. The other products in the pipeline are Dharwad pedha, Sirsi supari, Huvinahadagali jasmine, Kinanal toys, Kalaburagi bark, Navalagunda dhurries, Sandur lambani embroidery and others.
Confirming this, V Tara, assistant postmaster general, said initially, they have chosen 10 of the 42 GI-tagged products, including Byadagi chilli as it is famous across the country and abroad. “People have a strong regional connect with this spice,” she said.
The project will be launched under Atma Nirbhar Scheme, and print at least 1,000 special covers. “We recently conducted a meeting with Byadagi APMC authorities and traders’ association and collected details about the produce. We will launch these covers at the earliest,” the assistant postmaster general said.
“Byadagi chilli has a 200-year history and is famous for its colour and taste across the globe. A turnover of Rs 2,000 crore is done at the Byadagi chilli market annually. More than one lakh people work directly or indirectly for the market. By introducing the special cover, India Post wants to honour the produce,” said Shivanand Mallanagoudra, a commission agent at the Byadagi chilli market.
Prof Ramesh Nayak said Byadagi chilli has a unique beauty, and its market is the biggest in Asia. “India Post considers all aspects while releasing special covers on GI-tagged products, which is a way of givnig respect to products from this region,” he asserted.
Srikant Guled, assistant secretary of APMC (Byadagi), said they have given necessary information about Byadagi chilli to the authorities of India Post. “If asked, we are ready to provide pictures too,” he said.