‘Kendrapara Rasabali’ May Soon Get GI Tag, MP Subhash Singh Writes To Centre

Kendrapara’s popular delicacy ‘Rasabali’ may soon get Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Recently, Rajya Sabha member Subhash Chandra Singh wrote to Ministry of Commerce and Industry demanding the same.

In a letter, Subhash Singh wrote that although Odisha is home to oldest organised kitchens in the world, the Odia cuisine doesn’t find any mention in the popular Indian food culture. Referring to the popular Odia cuisine ‘Rasabali’, Subhash Singh wrote that the cuisine originated in Baladevjew temple 400 years ago.

This sweet delicacy is prepared by deep-frying cheese patties which are later soaked in thickened milk. Moreover, several people in Kendrapara district of Odisha depend on the sale of this sweet for their livelihood. Subhash Singh also wrote that due to absence of market linkage and misuse of its name the sweet has failed to gain widespread recognition.

Subhash Singh urged the Centre to confer GI tag to ‘Kendrapara Rasabali’ which could provide a distinct identity to the sweet. Subhash Singh along with parliamentarians Muna Khan and Mamta Manant met Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal at his Parliament office on Sunday demanding GI tag for the Kendrapara Rasabali’.