Govt to put restrictions on salt import, says Barua
FE Report | Wednesday, 16 March 2011
FE Report
The government will impose tariff and non-tariff barriers on salt to discourage its import and protect the interest of local salt farmers, Industries Minister Dilip Barua said Tuesday. "We're self-sufficient in salt production and there is no need to import the item," he said. If needed, the Ministry of Industries will decide on the import of daily essential commodity after inter-ministerial consultation. The government will also take step to impose high taxes on bolder salt (kacha salt) import for the betterment of local farmers, he said. The minister was speaking at a press conference a day after the approval of the National Salt Policy-2011 Monday. The policy will boost the growth of the country's salt industry and also protect the local industries, Mr. Barua said. "There was no such guideline for local salt farmers. The policy will ensure the fair price of salt and make sure the proper use of charlands in coastal areas," he said. Mr. Barua said farmers would be encouraged to produce white salt by discouraging the production of black salt through the salt policy. He said the new policy will save foreign currency, create employment and keep specific areas for salt production. He added the salt policy, formulated after discussions with stakeholders, also aims at ensuring proper iodine ratio for human consumption. Explaining the key parts of the policy, the minister said banks and financial institutions will provide soft loans to the salt farmers and millers. He said the government will also arrange a buffer stock of 0.1 million tonnes of salt every year from the free market or mills to help marginal farmers get fair price and to keep the price stable. "We will also take measures to strengthen the 16 member salt advisory board to help the sector," Mr. Barua said.
The government will impose tariff and non-tariff barriers on salt to discourage its import and protect the interest of local salt farmers, Industries Minister Dilip Barua said Tuesday. "We're self-sufficient in salt production and there is no need to import the item," he said. If needed, the Ministry of Industries will decide on the import of daily essential commodity after inter-ministerial consultation. The government will also take step to impose high taxes on bolder salt (kacha salt) import for the betterment of local farmers, he said. The minister was speaking at a press conference a day after the approval of the National Salt Policy-2011 Monday. The policy will boost the growth of the country's salt industry and also protect the local industries, Mr. Barua said. "There was no such guideline for local salt farmers. The policy will ensure the fair price of salt and make sure the proper use of charlands in coastal areas," he said. Mr. Barua said farmers would be encouraged to produce white salt by discouraging the production of black salt through the salt policy. He said the new policy will save foreign currency, create employment and keep specific areas for salt production. He added the salt policy, formulated after discussions with stakeholders, also aims at ensuring proper iodine ratio for human consumption. Explaining the key parts of the policy, the minister said banks and financial institutions will provide soft loans to the salt farmers and millers. He said the government will also arrange a buffer stock of 0.1 million tonnes of salt every year from the free market or mills to help marginal farmers get fair price and to keep the price stable. "We will also take measures to strengthen the 16 member salt advisory board to help the sector," Mr. Barua said.