Question : EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL



(a) whether several export promotion councils and trade associations have been permitted to waive of statutory requirements of law;

(b) if so, the details of such waivers allowed, year-wise during the last three years;

(c) whether Government is aware that such waivers lead to concentration of power in hands of few persons and thus, violates democratic process; and

(d) if so, the reaction thereto?

Answer given by the minister

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( SHRI E.V.K.S. ELANGOVAN)

(a) & (b) : The Government have given approval to the amendments in the articles/bye-laws of the Export Promotion Councils, during the last three years as indicated below:

Year	Number of Amendments
2001-02 55 2002-03 9 2003-04 1



(c) & (d) : Any departure from the established procedure by way of amendments to be carried out in the bye-laws requires Government`s approval before giving effect. The Government examines the requests of the Councils for amendments in the bye-laws and approve them keeping in view the facts that such amendments do not lead to concentration of power at a particular level and also do not violate democratic process.