Question : CANDLE MANUFACTURING

(a): the States wherein Candles are being manufactured;

(b): the number of Candle manufacturing units functioning in each of the States particularly in Tamil Nadu;

(c): the total number of workers employed in this sector, State- wise;

(d): whether there has been sharp increase in the price of the paraffin wax since July 2005;

(e): if so, the details thereof alongwith action taken to check this trend;

(f): the reasons for the periodical increase in the price of the paraffin wax, used in candle manufacturing;

(g): whether the quantity of paraffin wax supplied by Chennai Petroleum Industry has been gradually going down from year to year; and (h): if so, the manner in which the Government is going to ensure the supply of requisite amount of paraffin wax to candle manufacturers?

MINISTER OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES & AGRO AND RURAL INDUSTRIES (SHRI MAHABIR PRASAD)

(a),(b)&(c): Wax candles are being manufactured in 30 States and Union Territories of India. There are 1881 candle manufacturing units in the State of Tamil Nadu. The State-wise number of units and employees is given in the enclosed Annexure.

(d),(e)&(f): Paraffin wax is a free trade petroleum speciality product and periodical price changes are effected in line with import parity price. The increase in the price of paraffin wax since July, 2005 varies from Rs. 3,700/- to Rs. 7,800/- per metric tonne.

(g): As reported by the Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited, the production and supply of wax by this company during the last five years are as follows :

YEAR	QUANTITY (IN METRIC TONNES)	2001-02	18560	2002-03	22155	2003-04	25741	2004-05	26751	2005-06	24650(ESTIMATED)