February 6, 2002
'42'
GREATER GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY REQUIRED TO SUPPORT THE INDIAN PESTICIDE INDUSTRY
INTER MINISTERIAL GROUP FOR AGRO-CHEMICAL INDUSTRY MEETS
There should be greater transparency in the working of concerned departments to support the Indian Pesticide Industry in its efforts to achieve its full potential and improve the export capability. Time limit should be set for disposal of various issues of the industry and bring about greater transparency in their work. This was stated here recently by the Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Shri Vinay Kohli while chairing the first meeting of the Inter- ministerial Group constituted by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers to look into the problems of the Agrochemical industry. The Group was constituted in January this year under the directions of Minister, Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri S.S. Dhindsa after his meeting with the captains of Chemical, Petrochemical and Pharmaceutical industries. Various issues facing the industry as also measures for enhancing its competitiveness to face global competition were taken up at the meeting.
Shri Kohli asked the member departments of the committee – Chemical & Petrochemicals, Agriculture, Commerce and Revenue to review the data required to be provided by the Industry for various issues like fixation of input output norms and DEPB rates. He urged them to ensure that the industry is asked to provide only that data which is absolutely essential and this would expedite the decision on important issues. The Group also has representation from the Government of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab. The President of Pesticide Association of India mentioned the difficulties being faced by the industry such as hurdles in registration of new developments in pesticides, protection of new products, procedural simplifications etc. He said that the global trade in agro-chemicals is Rs. 150,000 crore annually and the Indian industry is capable of achieving exports of around Rs. 5000-6000 crore against the present level of around Rs. 1,700 crore. The President of Pesticide Manufacture and Formulation Association of India (PMFAI) was in general agreement and suggested that the financing of medium sized export units be strengthened and procedure for excise refund on exported pesticides be streamlined.