(a) whether the Government are aware that import of pepper from Sri Lanka has increased many times during 2001-02 to 2002-03 as a result of free trade agreement with that country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the domestic pepper industry has been affected adversely by these imports;
(d) if so, whether the Government have taken or propose to take any effective measures to put a cap on import of pepper under the concessional duty; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( SHRI S. B. MOOKHERJEE )
(a) & (b): There is an increase in import of pepper during 2002-2003 over the previous year not only from Sri Lanka but also global imports in the following manner:-
Year Imports from Sri Lanka Global Imports
Quantity (tonnes) Value Rs. Lakhs Quantity (tonnes) Value Rs. Lakhs
2000-2001 1759.00 2790.66 6024.75 6001.68 2001-2002 1240.54 1605.08 6328.16 5636.27 2002-2003 6373.61 5888.10 15750.00 12521.43
Source: Spices Board
Year Total Production of Pepper Exports from India (Quantity in tonnes) in India (Quantity in tonnes)
2000-2001 63670 19250 2001-2002 50800 24000 2002-2003 80000 # 20000
Source: Spices Board
# Estimate for the year 2002.
>From above it would appear clear that the total exports of pepper is much higher than the total global imports of pepper to India. Further, the imports of pepper from Sri Lanka during the year 2002-2003 is only 8% of the total production of pepper in India and therefore it cannot be conclusively stated that the domestic pepper industry is adversely affected due to these imports.