(a) whether Unites States Customs Service has ordered that hand rolled Indian Beedi
Cigarettes manufactured by the Mangalore Ganesh Beedi Works of Karnataka be
seized at the border pending investigations over the company’s reported use of child labour; and
(b) if so, the reaction of Union Government thereto?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( DR. RAMAN SINGH )
(a) In December 1999, the US Customs issued detention orders against the import of bidis from M/s.Mangalore Ganesh Bidi Works on the basis of a `reasonable suspicion` that forced child labour was being used by the company in manufacturing bidis.
(b) The Government of India has taken up the matter with the appropriate US Government authorities.