Question : IMPORT OF NOTE PRINTING PAPER

(a) The names of paper factories which produce paper for printing of currency notes in the country and the installed capacity thereof, location-wise;

(b) Whether the production of paper of these factories has been as per the installed capacity during the last three years;

(c) whether the Government are importing paper for printing of Indian currency notes from foreign countries;

(d) if so, the quantum thereof; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to meet the requirement of the paper within the country.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (Shri V.Dhananjaya Kumar)

(a): Paper for printing of currency notes is produced only at Security Paper Mill, Hoshangabad, M.P. The present installed capacity of the Mill is 4500 MT.

(b): Due to various reasons such as old machines and the additional security features which have been incorporated in the paper, the production capacity is less than the installed capacity.

(c): Yes, Sir.

(d): The present contract for import of currency paper by Currency Note Press, Nasik/Bank Note Press, Dewas is 10,450 MT; and for Bhartiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Limited (BRBNML) 18,150 MT.

(e): As setting up of a paper mill requires huge investment, Government has decided to encourage setting up of paper mill in the private sector.