Chandigarh, Nov 4 (IANS) — In a move to safeguard Punjab’s rich culinary legacy, the state’s Food Processing Department is exploring the possibility of obtaining a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the iconic Amritsari Kulcha. The popular dish, synonymous with Amritsar’s vibrant food culture, could soon receive official recognition for its unique regional identity.
Principal Secretary of the Food Processing Department, Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, shared the initiative during a meeting at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, which brought together industry representatives, academicians, and stakeholders from various food sectors, including Basmati rice, honey, and jaggery. She said that securing a GI tag would not only boost Amritsar’s culinary reputation but also open doors for exports, branding, and employment opportunities.
Calling the food processing industry a “Sunshine Sector,” Bhandari highlighted the importance of strong linkages across the value chain — from farm to factory to fork — for sustainable growth. She reaffirmed the Punjab government’s commitment under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian to strengthen the agro-food processing ecosystem.
The meeting also discussed establishing food parks, technology exchange platforms, modern testing labs, and cold storage facilities to enhance processing, innovation, and quality standards across Punjab’s food sector.