(a) whether the jute goods were imported during 1998-99 and 1999-2000, indicating the amount spent thereon;
(b) whether raw jute is also imported;
(c) if so, the quantity and price per M.T. thereof; and
(d) the impact of such import on our economy, industry and agricultural sector?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES
(SHRI GINGEE N. RAMACHANDRAN)
(a) The total value of jute goods imported by India from Bangladesh during the last 2 years is as under:
Year Quantity Value(b) &(c) At present there are no quantitative restrictions on import of raw jute. However, import duty @ 5% on import of raw jute has been introduced in the budget of 1999-2000. The total import of raw jute into the country in the last 2 years have been as under:
( M. Ton) (Rs. in lakh) 1998-99 1297.00 203.55 1999-2000 6193.00 1033.00
Year Quantity (Lakh bales) 1998-99 9.00 1999-2000 5.00 (estimated)(d) The total import of jute goods from Bangladesh in comparison to the total domestic production is only 0.4% of the total production of jute goods in India. The import of raw jute accounts for less than 6% of the total domestic production of raw jute and mainly consists of such grades and varieties of fine and high grade fibre, not produced in India which is used to manufacture value added diversified jute products meant for exports. The import of jute and jute goods thus does not have a significant impact on the economy in general and domestic jute sector, in particular.