BARGARH:An FIR was filed against Bharat Mohan Industries, a Rajasthan-based garment manufacturer, by Bargarh Police on Monday for replicating Sambalpuri saree designs and selling them.
A police complaint against the manufacturer was filed by Assistant Director of Textiles Department, Upendra Debata on Friday for violation of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The Sambalpuri Bandha sarees have earned Geographical Indication tag, which prohibits replication of the product. Debata alleged that Bharat Mohan Industries has been replicating the design of Sambalpuri saree and selling fake printed Sambalpuri sarees in the market.
He said the department came to know that Bharat Mohan Industries has been selling printed sarees replicating the Sambalpuri design as ‘Bharat Vijaya’ sarees. These fake sarees are available in Bargarh market as well.
Police have registered a case under Section 39 of GI Act and sent samples of original handloom saree and the powerloom saree to office of Assistant Registrar of Trade Marks & GI, Chennai seeking opinion. Police will initiate further action after receiving communication from the Assistant Registrar.
After the issue had come to fore, Debata had drawn the attention of office of Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textile, Government of India. Subsequently, a team from visited Bargarh and on their advice, he filed the complaint with the Bargarh Police. This is the first such case against duplicity of handlooms in the State and second case in the country. Earlier, a similar type of case was registered in Telangana. The team had also brought with them copy of the FIR from Telangana for reference of police here.