Budget 2013: Provide incentives for mechanization of salt industry, says FICCI

NEW DELHI: Union Budget 2013 should provide incentives for R&D work and mechanization of salt industry, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry ( FICCI) has proposed.

An industry like Caustic Soda & Soda Ash consumes salt to the extent of 50 per cent of the national production. This also provides employment to the salt workers and the transporters.

Thus, FICCI has strongly recommended the move in order to ensure quality salt supply at reasonable cost.

The industry body also gave similar suggestion of providing incentives to the chemical industries for pursuing green initiatives like providing star ratings which could facilitate fast clearances of new projects. The chlor-alkali industry in the country produces mainly caustic soda, chlorine and soda ash.

Several industries that have direct linkages with this sector, including Soaps and Detergent, Pulp and Paper, Textile Processing, Aluminium Smelting, Dyes and Dyestuff, Plastic Polymers, Rayon Grade Pulp, Pharmaceuticals, Electroplating and Adhesives/Additives.

FICCI is also rooting for the reduction of the interest rate and bring it to the international competitive prices so as to trim down on input cost for the chlor-alkali sector.