The Geographical Indication (GI) Registry has dismissed Madhya Pradesh’s plea for its inclusion in the Basmati growing region saying there is no corroborative evidence to suggest that the aromatic variety is grown in the state. The GI Registry in an order passed on March 15 has said. This tribunal reaches a conclusion that there is proper demarcation of cultivation area in the GI application filed by the respondent applicant (Apeda). The opponent (MP government and others) failed to prove the Basmati cultivation in the claimed with supporting documents. A mere plea without supported by any corroborative evidence, has no gravity in the eye of Law. In finale, the oppositions are disallowed as lack of merit. Basmati is grown in 77 districts of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, western Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. The aromatic rice variety is also grown in a few districts of Punjab in Pakistan. The decision will help India to convince Pakistan not to expand Basmati cultivation to other areas and keep it confined to the region where it has been grown traditionally.