Question : PRODUCTION OF SALT

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY(DR. RAMAN SINGH)

(a) Production of salt in the country during the last three yyars and the share of Gujarat thereon is as under:

Figures in `000 tonnes
Year	Total Production	Share of Glujarat	Percentage
1999	14452.7	10048.3	69.5
2000	15651.3	11588.4	74.5
2001	14284.0	9647.8	67.5

(b) Government is taking the following steps to boost the production of salt in the country including the coastal areas.

(i) Site incpection is undertaken to judge the suitability of the land for salt manufacture and appropriate recommendations made for allotment of land by the State Governments for the purpose.

(ii) technical guidance is provided for the construction of salt works on scientific lines.

(iii) Setting up of Salt Refineries in the salt producing areas is encouraged to meet the increasing demand of quality salt for edible, industrial and export purposes which help in boosting up the production of common salt.

(iv) Financial assistance in the form of ex-gratia and loan is provided to the salt works which suffer damages due to natural calamities like floods/cyclones etc. to enable them to rcommence their production, financial assistance is also extended for undertaking development and labolur welfare schenmes in the salt works.

(v) Department salt land suitable for salt manufacture is leased out to private parties for salt manufacture.

(vi) The government vide Notification No. GSR(E)4.9.2001, has replaced consignment-wise permit system for removal of salt from salt factories with the Self removal Procedure (SRP) which will minimize hassles and thereby help in the increase of salt production.