EXPORTS OF SALT JUMPS TO 16 LAKH TONNES
INDUSTRIAL CLUSTER UPGRADATION
SCHEME ON ANVIL
RAMAN SINGH CHAIRS CENTRAL ADVISORY
BOARD MEETING
Export
performance of salt has registered a quantum jump in 2001, touching
a new high of 16 lakh tonnes as compared to 10 lakh tonnes in
2000. "Since we have a large
unutilised salt production capacity, it should be possible for
us to become a major player in export of salt in the global market
", Dr. Raman Singh, Minister of State for Commerce &
Industry, said this while chairing 46th Meeting of
the Central Advisory Board (CAB) for salt, here today. Dr. Singh
announced that the government is instituting Export Promotion
Awards from the current year to give impetus to salt exports.
During the meeting, the Minister informed that the Industrial
Cluster Upgradation Scheme and Technology Upgradation Scheme would
come soon for the benefit of salt manufacturers. Shri S. Jagadeesan,
Joint Secretary; Shri S. Sundaresan, Salt Commissioner; and Shri
Dinsha Patel, Member of Parliament were present in the meeting
along with representatives from the State governments and Salt
Manufacturing Industries.
The
Minister informed that the production of salt in the country has
crossed 14 million tonnes for the third successive year, which
is sufficient to meet the domestic requirements, exports and leaving
adequate buffer stock to take care of any natural calamities.
To increase the exports of salt, sending delegation comprising
trade & industry, State and Central government representatives
to the potential export markets would also be explored, he added.
The
National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme has identified
Salt Commissioner’s Office as a nodal agency for the creation
of adequate salt iodisation capacity, monitoring the production
and quality of iodised salt at production and distribution sources
throughout the country. The Minister stated that the efforts of
Salt Department have resulted in establishment of 900 Salt Iodisation
Plants with a capacity of 114 lakh tonnes per annum which is more
than adequate to provide iodised salt to the entire population
estimated at 50 lakh tonnes. A Core Group has been constituted
under the Chairmanship of Shri S. Jagadeesan with members from
Ministry of Health, UNICEF, representatives of State governments
and Salt Commissioner to commission a study on social marketing
of iodised salt, the Minister said.
The
Board discussed and adopted the agenda of the last meeting. Shri
Dinsha Patel suggested that the Board meeting should take place
once in six months and progress report should be placed before
it. The CAB advises the government on administration of proceeds
of the salt cess levied under Salt Cess Act 1953 and also makes
recommendations generally for measures conducive to the development
of the salt industry.
