Question : BAN ON IMPORT OF MARBLE

(a) the present policy of the Government in regard to the import of marble in the country;

(b) whether the Government are aware that domestic marble traders and workers have been affected adversely due to the import of marble into the country;

(c) if so, whether there is a demand of marble industry to impose complete ban on import of marble;

(d) if so, whether the Government have considered the demand seriously and propose to impose complete ban on import of marble; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

(a) to (e) : Import restrictions are being removed since the early 1990s as part of economic liberalization programme of the government and also in terms of our international obligations. At present, all the items on which import restrictions were maintained on account of balance of payment reasons are freely importable. Accordingly, finished marble blocks/tiles, as covered under chapter 68 of the ITC(HS) Classification of Export and Import items, 2002-2007, are freely importable and do not require any licence from DGFT. However, India is maintaining import restrictions on rough and crude marble. Accordingly, import of crude or roughly trimmed marble, as covered under chapter 25 of the ITC(HS), which was earlier allowed against surrender of SIL from 1.4.1999 to 31.03.2001 though with a value cap of US $ 300 per MT and above for rough marble Blocks and US $ 450 and above for slabs; has been restricted for imports from 1.4.2001 i.e. import can be allowed only against a license to be issued by the DGFT. In view of this restriction, the import of crude or roughly trimmed marble as covered under Chapter 25 of the ITC(HS) has declined from 61987 MT in 2000-2001 to 41967 MT in 2001-2002. A complete ban on import is neither possible nor desirable.