HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh has lost its fight with the Centre for Geographical Indication (GI) tag of Araku coffee. Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai has refused GI tag of the Akrau valley coffee to Girijan Co-operative Corporation (GCC) Limited of Andhra Pradesh government, but has allowed the application of Coffee Board of India of the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry and published it. Araku coffee produced in Vizag is exported to countries such as Italy, UAE, Spain and France.The applicant GCC of AP government failed to present before the GI tribunal and explain about it. TOI had reported in February 2018 about the fight between GCC and Coffee Board for Araku coffee.Chinnaraj G Naidu, GI deputy registrar, said, “We have refused GI tag to GCC as it failed to prove historical origin of the product with supporting documents and failed to make use of the opportunities provided during the showcause hearing. As Coffee Board of India is the right applicant, we have advertised the GI tag for it.”GCC applied on April 22, 2016, under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection Act), requesting GI tag for ‘GCC Araku Valley Coffee’. The consultative group expert committee found that the product, as filed by GCC, doesn’t affect quality. GCC was asked to appear on July 25, 2018, for hearing. “There are fundamental deficiencies in the claim and GCC didn’t respond,” said Naidu.Coffee Board of India had applied on January 1, 2018, for GI tag for ‘Araku Valley Arabica’, claiming that it was produced not only in Andhra Pradesh but also Odisha

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