Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s sweet dish, ‘chhenapoda’, is likely to get Geographical Indication (GI) tag soon. Micro, small, medium enterprises minister Gokulananda Mallick on Wednesday informed the assembly that the application for GI tag for Nayagarh’s famous ‘chhenapoda’ is under process. The sweet dish is awaiting official recognition, which will help preserve its authenticity and boost its market value.
“The application for Nayagarh chhenapoda is currently at the pre-examination stage in the GI registry office in Chennai,” Mallick said while responding to a question in the assembly.
Once the GI tag is granted, the certification will ensure that only ‘chhenapoda’ made in Nayagarh is marketed under that name, protecting its unique identity.
The move follows growing demand from local sweetmakers and cultural enthusiasts who see the GI tag as crucial for promoting Nayagarh’s heritage. The district is widely believed to be the birthplace of ‘chhenapoda’ which has gained popularity in India and beyond.