Rasagola war: GI registry issues show-cause to West Bengal

Bhubaneswar: In what could possibly give a new dimension to the ongoing debate about the origin of Rasagola, the Geographical Indication (GI) Registry office on Friday issued a show-cause notice to West Bengal.

Official sources said the GI Registry at Chennai has served the notice based on an objection filed by Regional Development Trust.

The trust's president, Ramesh Chandra Sahu had filed the objection after GI tag was accorded to West Bengal for 'Banglar Rasogolla' last year. In his petition, Sahu contended that West Bengal had won the GI tag by providing misleading information.

In the notice, the West Bengal government has been asked to submit its reply within two months.

Earlier, both Odisha and West Bengal were at loggerheads over the origination of the sweet delicacy.

Odisha had applied for GI tag for ''Odishara Rasagola” nearly three months after West Bengal was awarded GI tag for Banglar Rasogolla.

Though Odisha government has been claiming that Rasagola originated in the state as it was offered at Shri Jagannath Temple ages ago, it had not lodged any complaint with GI Registry officials after the GI tag was accorded to Banglar Rasogolla.

Odisha government maintained that the delicacy was being prepared and offered to Lord Jagannath which is also mentioned in the 16th century Odia epic “Dandi Ramayana.”