Explanation:

GIs are an area of strength and optimism for India as the “GI tag” has accorded protection to several handmade and manufactured products, especially in the informal sector.
A GI is supposed to convey to a consumer the assurance of a certain quality, reputation or other characteristics of the goods on which it is applied, which are essentially attributable to its geographical origin. Does the GI Act ensure that all the GIs registered thereunder meet such expectations?
• “Quality control” is the sine qua non of any GI protection. In fact, a European Community Regulation for the protection of GIs is titled as a regulation “on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs”. This regulation states that the added value of GIs is based on consumer trust and that it is only credible if accompanied by effective verification and controls. Further, the quality schemes should be subject to a monitoring system of official controls to ensure verification of compliance with the law and rules relating thereto, and should include a system of checks at all stages of production, processing and distribution.
• Unlike the European Regulation, the GI Act does not provide for monitoring mechanisms at multiple levels. In fact, there is no single reference to an inspection or monitoring structure in the Act.
• Currently, there is a proliferation of GI registrations in India without any legal provisions stipulating post-registration quality control measures that are to be employed in the production of goods branded as GIs. This is detrimental not only to the protection process of GIs in India but also to the very existence of these GIs, because prolonged failure to meet consumer expectations would dilute the premium and credibility of GI-branded goods