This story is from January 10, 2020

Gaya tilkut may get GI tag soon: Bihar agriculture minister Prem Kumar

State agriculture minister Prem Kumar said on Thursday that a proposal to award the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Gaya tilkut is under consideration of the Central government and a final decision in the regard will be taken soon.
Gaya tilkut may get GI tag soon: Bihar agriculture minister Prem Kumar
Tilkuts are prepared by mixing sesame seeds, sugar or jaggery in the right proportion
GAYA: State agriculture minister Prem Kumar said on Thursday that a proposal to award the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Gaya tilkut is under consideration of the Central government and a final decision in the regard will be taken soon. "Gaya tilkut fulfills all the criteria for awarding GI tag. A proposal in this regard is awaiting a nod from the Centre and we are expecting to get it soon," the minister said.
Tilkut is manufactured by mixing sesame seeds, sugar or jaggery in the right proportion heated at an optimum temperature in cold, dry weather, skilfully hammered and then moulded into biscuit like shape.
'Magahi paan', another Gaya speciality has already got the GI tag, so has the 'khaja' of Silao and Shahi litchi. "Besides Gaya tilkut, the GI tag for makhana is also under consideration," said the agriculture minister said.
GI tag certifies the quality of the product that possesses certain qualities, is made according to traditional methods and enjoys reputation due to its geographical origin. "The proposal for the GI tag to tilkut is pending at government level for more than two years now," said Lalji Prasad, president of 'Gaya Misthan (confectionery) Nirmata Sangh'.
Trade bodies said that the GI tag will provide the much-needed impetus to Gaya tilkut. "Tilkut business, on account of the prevailing market conditions including high input cost, pollution control, skill deficiency and a host of other reasons, has been facing problems for the last several years and as such tilkut makers pinned hope on the award of GI tag to get some impetus," said Anup Kedia, former president of the Central Bihar Chamber of Commerce.
Meanwhile, Gaya Municipal Corporation has already imposed a ban on use of coal stoves, which have been traditionally been used for making tilkut. Bihar State Pollution Control Board has also cracked the whip to ensure total discard of coal stove. Tilkut makers of Gaya, according to market watchers have by and large switched to LPG and obtained commercial connections of eco-friendly fuel.
Nevertheless, market experts say that there is a big market available for tilkut in the Middle East and even Europe and America as the NRIs relate to tilkut as something native. According to Dr Rita Ambastha, an ayurveda practitioner, tilkut has medicinal value too and taken into a moderate quantity it ends problems like chronic constipation.
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