Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 28: An unnecessary controversy is being created by few vested interests on the issue of saffron by portraying it as another issue of discrimination against Jammu after the Prime Minister Modi talked of making Kashmiri Saffron a globally popular brand during his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address.
Clarifying the issue, Brig Veteran Anil Gupta, Spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party, stated that the Kashmiri Saffron is a brand and includes the entire saffron grown in Jammu and Kashmir including Kishtwar. Prime Minister in his speech had also asserted that Kashmiri Saffron is mainly grown in Pulwama, Budgam and Kishtwar districts.
“It is the entire saffron grown in J&K that has been given the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag that would help the boost of export and benefit all the farmers growing saffron irrespective of the region it is produced”, asserted Brig Gupta. GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities of a reputation that are due to that origin. It prevents unauthorised use of that brand by others thus providing legal protection which in turn boost exports and adds to economic prosperity of the producers of that geographical territory, stated Brig Gupta.
In Jammu Division, Kishtwar District is covered under the National Mission on Saffron (NMS) which was taken up under the Saffron project.
A Saffron Development Farm has been developed at Berwar, Kishtwar for quality corms production. A Saffron Park is also proposed under NMS in Kishtwar District, and is awaiting formal inauguration.
Brig Gupta has appealed to the public to not fall prey to the motivated propaganda aimed at creating a regional divide. He reiterated that Modi Government is against any form of regional discrimination and staunchly believes in Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas.
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