(a) Whether the Government have received representations from the edible oil trade that specific duties be levied
rather than ad valorem duties to check under-invoicing, etc;
(b) if so, the full details in this regard;
(c) whether huge quantities of edible oil imports get
into the country without payment of customs duty;
(d) if so, the manner in which the Government propose
to plug such leakages; and
(e) the steps proposed in this regard to control illegal entry of edible oil?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI GINGEE N.RAMACHANDRAN)
(a) & (b): Yes, sir. The Government have received a
representation from the Vanaspati Manufacturers`
Association of India suggesting a switch over from ad
valorem to specific duties on edible oils.
(c) During the year 2000-01, the customs formations detected five cases of illegal imports of edible oils and seized 7129 kgs of edible oils having a value of Rs.2.59 lakh.
(d) and (e): All the field formations of the Customs Department including the Directorate General of Revenue Intelligence are vigilant and alert to detect and prevent smuggling of contraband goods including edible oils.