Efforts to secure a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the world-famous Amritsari kulcha have formally begun, with the Punjab Government initiating the process to provide legal recognition and protection to one of the state’s most iconic culinary creations.A special meeting chaired by Food Processing Department Special Secretary Sandeep Hans was held at the district administration complex in Amritsar, where kulcha manufacturers and traders were briefed on the GI tagging process and its potential benefits.Describing the Amritsari kulcha as much more than a food item, Hans said it represents the cultural identity and heritage of Amritsar.“GI tagging will provide Amritsari kulcha with a unique and legal identity, strengthening its authenticity at both the national and international levels. Once a GI tag is granted, legal action can be taken against those selling imitation products under the name of Amritsari kulcha or compromising its authentic taste. This will protect consumers as well as safeguard the interests of local traders and artisans,” he said.Why GI tag now?The move comes amid growing concerns about preserving the authenticity of the traditional delicacy as its popularity continues to expand beyond Punjab and India.The word kulcha is derived from the Persian term kulcheh, meaning a round leavened bread or bun. The Amritsari kulcha evolved during the 18th and 19th centuries as a distinctive stuffed, flaky and tandoor-baked flatbread, combining Persian, Mughlai and Punjabi culinary influences.Over the decades, it has become synonymous with Amritsar’s food culture. Generations-old eateries, roadside dhabas and family-run establishments across the city have built their reputations on serving the delicacy, with many businesses tracing their culinary traditions back six or seven decades.Food experts note that the Amritsari kulcha has carved out a unique place in global cuisine. Unlike most Indian breads that remain overshadowed internationally by naan, the kulcha has established its own identity and today features on the menus of several renowned restaurants and hotels worldwide.Officials believe a GI tag will help preserve the traditional recipe, preparation methods and cultural significance of the dish while preventing misuse of the name by unauthorised producers.Taking kulcha to global stageOfficials from the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) also participated in the meeting. Joint Secretary Dr Dipinder Kaur Bakshi said there was a strong need to promote Amritsari kulcha globally and that the department was working expeditiously towards that goal.She pointed out that similar efforts had previously helped bring international recognition to Punjab’s traditional Phulkari craft and expressed confidence that the kulcha could achieve comparable success.Road aheadWhile traders and stakeholders welcomed the initiative, they acknowledged that the absence of a formal association representing kulcha manufacturers could pose an initial challenge.Dr Bakshi said the process under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, has already been initiated. A coordination committee comprising representatives from the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Guru Nanak Dev University’s Department of Food Technology, the district administration and the Food Processing Department would oversee the exercise.The committee will be responsible for completing the procedural requirements, including the formation of a Kulcha Manufacturers’ Association and preparation of the documentation required for filing the GI application.The district administration has appointed the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) as the nodal officer for the project.Officials described the meeting as a significant step towards preserving the original identity of Amritsari Kulcha, enhancing its global recognition and creating new opportunities for local businesses linked to the city’s celebrated culinary tradition.