(a) whether during the Fourth Indo - Kazakh Joint Commission meeting, the question regarding payment of dues to the Indian firms for export of tea under the Government guarantee was taken up, but Government preferred not to press on this issue;
(b) if so, the estimated amount of dues to the Indian exporters of tea involved; and
(c) the reasons for downplaying the issue?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY )
(a) to (c) : During the Fourth Indo-Kazakh Joint Commission Meeting, the Indian Side informed the Kazakh Side about the cases of non-payment of dues involving millions of dollars to the Indian companies on account of exports made to Kazakh companies. Both Sides agreed that such instances adversely affect bilateral trade and mutual interest of business organisations in both countries. The Kazakh side agreed to resolve the issue with due priorities in a mutually acceptable manner. The outstanding principal amount due to Indian exporters of tea on the understanding that these were covered by guarantees of Government of Kazakhstan is worth US $ 5.14 million. Government of India has been pursuing regularly with the Government of Kazakhastan the issue of settlement of these outstanding dues.