(a) whether candle manufacturing is job oriented industry in Kerala;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government propose to encourage this industry by increasing paraphin wax on quota;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether Government propose to abolish Sales Tax and excise duty on candles; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING, DEPARTMENT OF PENSIONS AND PENSIONERS WELFARE OF THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENTS OF ATOMIC ENERGY AND SPACE (SHRIMATI VASUNDHARA RAJE)
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. As reported by the State Government, the candle industry in Kerala has around 1200 industrial units with an estimated employment of about 9000 persons.
(c) & (d): Paraffin wax for candle industry is presently decontrolled and is available in the open market as well as through the Small Industries Development Corporation, Government of Kerala.
(e) & (f): No such proposal is under consideration.