Ajit Pawar Urges Centre To Stop Import Of Chinese Raisins
This situation not only disrupts fair market conditions but also leads to substantial loss of revenue to the central government due to tax evasion: Pawar
MUMBAI: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has urged the Centre to ban import of raisins from China. In a letter written to Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Mr. Pawar said “illegal” import from China, bypassing customs duties and taxes, is causing severe financial losses to both grape farmers and the national exchequer.
Mr. Pawar’s letter came in the wake of the memorandum submitted by the Maharashtra State Grape Growers Association. The MSGGA has alleged that there has been a significant influx of substandard Chinese raisins into the Indian market, because of which domestic prices have plummeted by Rs 100-125 per kilogram.
Highlighting the adverse impact of the Chinese imports on raisin prices in India, especially during the peak marketing season, Mr. Pawar pointed out that this situation not only disrupts fair market conditions but also leads to substantial loss of revenue to the central government due to tax evasion. He urged the Centre to implement immediate and stringent action to curb illegal imports of raisins, strengthen quality inspection mechanisms at ports and airports, ensure proper enforcement of import tax collection and take urgent steps to stabilise raisin prices during the season, thereby safeguarding farmer interests.
“Such imports are adversely affecting grape-growing farmers in India and causing considerable foreign exchange and revenue losses. This tax evasion is causing significant loss to government revenue. And the influx of cheap, substandard raisins during the peak season has led to a drastic drop in prices of domestically produced raisins. As a result, grape farmers are facing major financial distress,” Mr. Pawar said while seeking the Centre’s intervention.
