Bhubaneswar: The long-pending demand for Geographical Indication (GI) recognition for Nayagarh’s iconic Chhenapoda has gained fresh traction after the Centre confirmed that the application is already under process and scheduled for key deliberations next month.
The development follows a formal request raised by BJP MP Sambit Patra, who urged the Union government to expedite GI tagging for the traditional Odia delicacy, widely regarded as a symbol of the state’s culinary heritage.
Responding to the appeal, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated that the GI application for Chhenapoda has been registered under application number 1067. He further informed that a Consultative Group Meeting to examine the proposal is scheduled for May 28 and 29, 2026.
The minister noted that the application will be processed in accordance with provisions laid out under the GI of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, assuring that necessary steps will be taken at the earliest.
The exchange between the two leaders coincided with the observance of World Chhenapoda Day (April 11), lending added significance to the issue. In his communication, the Union minister acknowledged the cultural and emotional importance of Chhenapoda, particularly for the people of Nayagarh and Odisha at large.
“I would like to reiterate my warm wishes on this sweet occasion of Chhenapoda Diwas,” Goyal wrote in his letter.
In his letter, Patra highlighted that the sweet is not merely a food item but a representation of Odisha’s rich tradition and identity. He also pointed to consistent demands from local artisans and sweet makers, stating that GI recognition would help preserve authenticity while boosting livelihoods.
If granted, the GI tag is expected to enhance the product’s national and global recognition, while offering economic benefits to communities involved in its production.
With the process now formally underway and a crucial meeting on the horizon, stakeholders remain optimistic that Nayagarh’s famed Chhenapoda may soon secure its long-awaited geographical identity.
