Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the Budget that states would be encouraged to set up a “Unity Mall” in their capitals, their most prominent tourism centers, or their financial capitals. GI-tagged products, local handicrafts, and regional cultural specialties are some of the products that can be promoted in the Unity Mall. Some of the Karnataka GI tag products that will be displayed at Bengaluru’s ‘unity mall’ include Byadgi Chili, Kinnal Toys, Mysore agarbatti, and Bengaluru Blue grapes, among others.
Why In The News?
- Recently Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Announced In The Budget That States Would Be Encouraged To Set Up A “Unity Mall” In Their Capitals, Their Most Prominent Tourism Centres, Or Their Financial Capitals.
What Is A Unity Mall?
- The FM Did Not Specify What The “Unity Mall” Would Be, Whether It Is A Physical Or Non-Physical Structure, Or How It Would Work.
- However, She Said That The Unity Malls Would Focus On The Promotion And Sale Of The State’s Own “ODOPS (One District, One Product), GI Products, And Other Handicraft Products, And For Providing Space For Such Products Of All Other States”.
Are There Any Such Unity Malls In India?
- At Present, An Ekta Mall Is Operational Near The Statue Of Unity, Located About 3.5 Km Away From The Statue At Ekta Nagar In Kevadia.
- The Ekta Mall – Unity In Handicrafts Diversity Is A Showroom Of Handicrafts From Different States Of India. Spread Over 35000 Square-feet Area Of Two Floors, The Mall Has 20 Emporiums Dedicated To States’ Traditional Textiles And Artisanal Handicrafts.
What Purpose Will The Unity Mall Serve?
- The Idea Gives A Boost To Local Products, Which Have Remained Confined To An Area In The Absence Of A Platform To Canvass Their Beauty. These Malls Will Likely Give A Fillip To Local Economies And Help Artisans Thrive. Also, They Can Be A Great Tourist Attraction To Show The Local Culture.
What Is ODOP?
- One District, One Product Is An Initiative By The Government Which Aims To Make Regional Products More Accessible While Providing Capital To Those Who Produce Them.
- Under The Scheme, The State Identifies The Chief Product For District, And Then Offers Support For Its Processing, Storage, And Marketing.
- These Products Can Be Perishable Agri Produce, Cereal-based Products, Or Food Products Like Mango, Potato, Meat, And Fisheries. The Scheme Also Supports Traditional And Innovative Products Including Waste-to-wealth Products, Such, As Honey And Herbal Edible Products.
- For Example, The ODOP From Ayodhya Is Jaggery; From Darjeeling, It Is Tea; From Guntur In Andhra Pradesh, It Is Spiced (Chilli And Turmeric); For Chandigarh, It Is Bakery-based Products.
What Is GI?
- A Geographical Indication (GI) Tag Is Given To Agricultural, Natural, Or Manufactured Products That Originate From A Specific Geographical Area Due To Which They Possess Unique Characteristics And Qualities.
- The Tag Guarantees That The Product Is Coming From That Specific Area. It’s Kind Of A Trademark In The International Market. The Total Number Of Registered GI Products In India Is Approaching 450.
- Gamosa, The Traditional Textile Wrapped Around The Neck By Both Men And Women, Mostly In Assam, Has Received A GI Tag. The Madhubani Paintings Of Bihar, Too, Have Received The GI Tag.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
- One District, One Product (ODOP) Scheme Was Launched In
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
ANSWER: C
- Which Ministry Has Launched The ODOP Scheme
- Ministry Of Consumer Affairs
- Ministry Of Culture
- Ministry Of Agriculture
- Ministry Of Food Processing Industries
ANSWER: D
- GI Of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act Was Passed In
- 1995
- 1999
- 2002
- 2006
ANSWER: B
- Geographical Indications (GI) Registry Is In
- Hyderabad
- Chennai
- Bengaluru
- Vijayawada
ANSWER: B
- The GI Tag Is Valid For A Period Of
- 2 Years
- 5 Years
- 10 Years
- 15 Years
ANSWER: C
To crack the SSB Interview, You can join our SSB interview live classes batch and we recommend you to Enroll SSB INTERVIEW ONLINE COURSE. Trusted by thousands of defence aspirants.
Also Read:
- All About Paris Club: SSB Interview Lecturette Topic
- PM Narendra Modi Has Been Named The Most Popular Leader In The World
- Hindenburg Report On Adani – Here’s What You Need To Know
- India At WEF Davos Summit 2023: Here Are 10 Key Highlights
- Pakistan Economic Crisis 2023: SSB Interview Topic [Fully Explained]
- Joshimath Crisis: What Does “Land Subsidence” Mean, And Why Does It Happen?
- Top 10 Animal Conservation Projects In India [MUST WATCH]
- What Is Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2022? [Fully Explained]
- 20 SSB Interview Questions On Russia Ukraine Crisis
- What Is The (India-Israel-UAE-USA) I2U2 Summit? [Fully Explained]
- What Is International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC)?
- What Is Sri Lankan Crisis? [Fully Explained]
- What Is The BIMSTEC Grouping And How Is It Significant? [EXPLAINED]
- What Is The Places Of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991? [Explained]
- What Is Bodo Accord | SSB Interview Notes [Fully Explained]
- What Is AFSPA: Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act?
- What Is G20 Or Group Of Twenty Countries?
- What Is AFSPA: Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act?
- What Is The Financial Action Task Force (FATF)? [Fully Explained]
- What Is Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD)?
- Difference Between NATO Vs Russia [Expained]
- What Is United Nations Security Council (UNSC) [Explained]
- Everything You Need To Know About SAARC: South Asian Association For Regional Cooperation
- All About Russia Ukraine War: SSB Interview Topic [Fully Explained]
