Source: http://www.portwings.in/ports/chennai-trade-decry-dgfts-ban-on-apple-imports/
Port Wings News Network:
The importers of most popular fruit apple via Chennai
Port have appealed to the Union Commerce Minister Ms Nirmala Sitharaman to
amend the latest DGFT Notification that restricted the import of apples to Jawaharlal
Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, alone.
In the Notification No.21/2015-2020, issued by the DGFT
under the Ministry of Commerce in the Government of India, apples are allowed
to be imported only through JNPT Nhava Sheva alone.
With a view to prevail upon the Commerce Ministry’s “Illogical
decision,” the Tamil Chamber of Commerce (TCC) has sent a memorandum seeking
amendment to the notification that banned import of apples through Chennai Port
as well as other ports in the country.
Speaking to Port Wings, Mr Chozha Naachiar Rajasekar, President,
TCC, said, “On behalf of the importers of apples at Chennai Port and members of
Tamil Chamber of Commerce, we sent the appeal to the Commerce Minister Ms Sitharaman for
immediate consideration and necessary remedial action on the sudden ban which
is affecting the entire South India.”
Mr Rajasekar stated: “The apples falling in 08081000 of
ITC, H.S was hitherto allowed import free without any restriction. Now, on Sept
14 vide DGFT Notification No 21/ 2015-2020, the apples are allowed to be
imported only through Nhava Sheva port (JNPT).”
LOPSIDED & ILLOGICAL
DECISION BY COMMERCE MINISTRY:
The latest DGFT notification, which has been perceived by
the trade as lopsided and ill-advised, has put the importers of apples at
Chennai Port for consumption by people in and around Chennai, the state of
Tamil Nadu and neighboring states into lot of difficulties.
The apples are imported in refrigerated Containers from
abroad and it is mostly imported from USA, Australia and Fuji Island.
Without considering the demography of the country and
presence of major ports in the east coast, the DGFT notification has said that
the fruit has to be imported through JNPT, which is thousands of kilometers away
from Chennai, one of the main consumption centre.
Mr Rajasekar stated: “If the consignments are to be
imported only at Nhava Sheva, then the goods should be transported in
refrigerated container or trucks to Chennai and other places involving huge
freight amount pushing the price in the hands of consumers adding to food
inflation, which is avoidable. Apples are not grown in Tamil Nadu or the neighboring
states and it has to be procured from states like Himachal Pradesh and even
there sufficient quantity is not available.”
NO PUBLIC INTEREST
IN THE SUDDEN RESTRICTION:
“As per paragraph 1.02 of the Foreign Trade Policy the
Central Government, in exercise of powers conferred by Section 5 of FT
(D&R) Act, 1992, as amended from time to time, reserves the right to make
any amendment to the FTP, by means of notification, in public interest. There
appears to be no public interest in the sudden restriction of the port of
import. Instead serving the public interest it may result in cartelization of
the trade to the detriment of the consumers and to prevent monopoly of
particular port in the West Coast of the country. We request that the above
notification should be amended and import may be allowed through all major
ports having PQ and FSSAI officers. This will avoid escalation of the cost of
imported apples and ensure easy availability of apples to all the consumers at
reasonable cost,” Mr Rajasekar added.
CHENNAI PORT IS
THE GATEWAY OF EAST COAST:
Besides, the importers also listed out strong reasons for
seeking amendments to DGFT notification to allow Chennai Port for import of apples.
It may be noted that Chennai Port is the gateway of East
Coast and serving the trade of South India. Furthermore, the two container terminals
--DP World and PSA --at Chennai Port have all facilities to handle fresh fruit imports
of reefer containers.
“The Chennai Port is having a fully fledged FSSAI Office
with lab facilities for testing the fruits. The Regional Plant Quarantine
Station with full-fledged facilities for testing fruits which is situated near
Chennai Port,” he added.
“Due to ban on handling iron ore, coal at Chennai Port, the
facility is incurring revenue loss year after year and the recent ban for
import of apples through this port will add further revenue loss to the Port
and also affect the Custom Duty collections at Chennai Customs Commissionerate,”
Mr Rajasekar further added.
With the ban on import of apples through Chennai Port, the
large network of wholesale and retail sales involving businesses and trade
activities connected with fruit businesses is likely to be affected, concluded
Mr Rajasekar.
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