Odisha govt decides to seek GI tag for 'Odishara Rasogolla' hours after West Bengal granted status for its version

The Odisha government said on Tuesday that it would soon seek a Geographical Indication tag for its version of Rasogolla, hours after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the state had been granted the GI status for the popular sweet.

The Odisha government was in the process of obtaining a GI status for the 'Odishara Rasogolla', the origin of which dates back to more than 800 years, it said.

"It has come to our notice that Banglar Rasogolla has been registered with Geographical Indication (GI) on an application filed by the government of West Bengal," the chief minister's Office said in a statement.

In the backdrop of a statewide cry over West Bengal getting the GI tag for Rasogolla, Odisha Finance Minister Sashibhusan Behera said, "Where is the question of winning or defeating? We have not yet applied for the GI tag for Pahal Rasogolla."

Pahal is a place between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar and is considered as the Rasogolla hub of Odisha.

Also Read: Rosogolla originated in West Bengal not Odisha stamps GI

"Our petition is under process and the Odisha government will soon make a move," Behera was quoted while interacting with reporters.

Odisha Government is in process of obtaining GI tag for Odishara Rasagolla. It originated in #Odisha and is offered at Jagannath Temple as part of religious rituals by people of Odisha since centuries. pic.twitter.com/zk0tOAxj7c

— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) November 14, 2017

Odisha's MSME Minister Prafulla Samal said the state government would urge officials of Chennai-based GI Registrar to visit Odisha for verification of the origin of Rasogolla.

Also Read | World Diabetes Day 2017: Kolkatans sweat for sweets

Samal said Rasogolla originated in the state and itis being offered at Sri Jagannath Temple since 12th century.