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(a) whether any seminar on `removal of quantitative restrictions: How to meet the challenges` was organised recently by the FICCI in Kolkata;
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(b) if so, the details thereof and recommendations / suggestions made by the participants in the seminar; and
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(c) the action taken by the Government on the basis of suggestions / recommendations made in this seminar?
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THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( SHRI OMAR ABDULLAH)
( a ) to ( c ) : A Statement is laid on the Table of House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS ( a ) to ( c ) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 282 FOR ANSWER ON 16.3.2001 REGARDING SEMINAR ON REMOVAL OF QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS:
( a ) to ( c ) : Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry ( FICCI ) had organized a seminar on `Removal of Quantitative Restrictions : How to meet the challenges` on 20th February, 2001 at Kolkata.
The prime objective of the seminar was to disseminate information about the impending removal of quantitative restrictions on imports. The seminar also recommended certain safeguard measures for the consideration of the Government in the post QR scenario. These measures include accelerating the economic reforms process to increase the long term competitiveness of Indian industry, reduction in transaction costs, simplification of regulations, reform of labour laws, changes in import duty structure to provide protection to the domestic producers and initiatives for enhancing the market access for Indian exports.
The suggestions made at the seminar have been brought to the notice of the Government. The present policy of economic liberalization being followed since 1991, aims at increasing the competitiveness of the Indian industry. The process of liberalization is a continuing one. The import duty on certain sensitive products has already been increased in the Budget for the year 2001-2002. Besides, an Inter-ministerial Group, under the Chairmanship of Commerce Secretary, is examining the likely impact of QR removal on domestic producers to suggest suitable measures to be taken by the Government. The Group had made some interim recommendations like imposition of national mandatory quality standards and labeling requirements on import of consumer products and these have already been implemented in November, 2000.