(a) the details of bidi producing undertakings, enterprise, registered companies and cooperative societies in the country;
(b) the class and age group of labourers employed in this industry and the estimated number of them;
(c) the amount of excise and foreign exchange earned by the Government through export from bidi industry during the last three years till date; and
(d) whether the Government propose to give some special relief to exporters in this trade?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES AND AGRO AND RURAL INDUSTRIES (SMT. VASUNDHARA RAJE)
(a): Majority of bidi production is contributed by small and tiny units. However, the information on the details of bidi producing units under various categories is not maintained centrally.
(b): Most of the workers engaged in bidi making belong to Schedule caste/Schedule Tribe and other backward classes and are in the age group of 18-60 years. There are approximately 44 lakhs bidi workers in the country.
(c): Excise duty collection and foreign exchange earning during the last three years are as under:
(Rs. in Crores) Year Excise including Cess Foreign Exchange earnings(d): Exporters of bidi are entitled to all facilities and incentives available to exporters as per EXIM Policy.
1996-97 192.02 15.96 1997-98 256.26 20.05 1998-99 261.69 30.70