Salt makers want single window facility to solve ills
Fed up with frequent amendments to various Acts which create hurdles in the development of the salt industry, salt units are planning to plead with the Centre to introduce a single-window facility or agency to resolve their problems to ensure smoo...
By RR Goswami, TNN |
AHMEDABAD: Fed up with frequent amendments to various Acts which create hurdles in the development of the salt industry, salt units are planning to plead with the Centre to introduce a single-window facility or agency to resolve their problems to ensure smooth running of the industry.
Interestingly Gujarat, which contributes 75% of the total salt production in the country, faces problems at various levels like frequent interventions by state government, levies imposed at the district or taluka panchayat levels. Even local bodies add to the woes of the producers by imposing their own cess or levies.
The salt industry is one of the major sources of income for hundreds of people in Kutch and Saurashtra regions. The industry is facing a lot of problems for want of adequate infrastructural facilities including non allotment of adequate number of wagons by the railways, said BC Raval, honorary secretary of Kutch and Saurashtra Salt Manufacturers’ Association.
Though 98% of the salt is being produced from solar evaporation and precipitation on soil, and only the balance 2% salt from mining, the Centre has defined entire industry as mining industry instead of agriculture and thereby making it mandatory to obtain licence.
Salt manufacturers are now asking the Centre to redefine and reconsider the production of salt as farming and not mining, as salt producers are not excavating as a mineral. Only sea water or sub soil water is the source as raw material for salt. As on date most of salt leases are pending renewal since 10 years and the development of salt production is at a standstill.
ADVERTISEMENT
At the same time, all district collectors would be advised to process applications for renewal of leased land and start allotting new land, which are out of forest boundary. At the same time no objection certificates (NOC) also need to be issued promptly in the overall interest of the industry. Too busy to trade in stocks? Invest in Mutual Funds with ET Money!
Bookmark or read stories offline -
Download ET Markets APP
Download ET Markets APP
ADVERTISEMENT
