Action against 2 scrap importers following discovery of ammunitions: Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

NEW DELHI: Government has taken action in two cases against importers following discovery of live ammunitions in the scarp imported by them, Parliament was informed today.

"In 2 cases, live ammunitions were found and actions like booking of case against the importer, imposing fine/penalty and issuing show cause notice, have been taken against the importer," Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

In 2013-14, the country imported metallic waste and scrap worth Rs 29,574.21 crore.

Customs authorities have detected as many as 28 cases during April-November this fiscal where import procedures were violated by firms importing scrap, Sitharaman said, adding that action has been initiated against such firms. The value of goods seized in these cases was Rs 7.03 crore.

Similarly, in 2013-14, 17 such cases were detected by the authorities.

Replying to a separate question on industrial parks, the minister said that 21 project proposals have been accorded in-principle approval under 'Modified Industrial Infrastructure Upgradation Scheme'.

These projects are proposed in states including Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, Kerala and Karnataka.