The government has called for detailed monitoring of every consignment coming from China.
But the Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has written to the Finance and Commerce Ministries to ensure quick release of products at ports.
Gadkari has reportedly asked to remove roadblocks to these goods, stating that they have arrived at the Indian shores after the industry players made necessary payments.
Any further delays to these goods will only hit India, not China, Gadkari adds.
“Our focus is to reduce imports and to do so we can increase import duty. But holding up already imported items will harm our entrepreneurs as they incur huge losses,” says Gadkari.
Gadkari has reportedly taken up this issue after the farmers’ association raised issues over delays in customs’ clearance.
A delegation of farmers’ association has met Gadkari complaining about the delay in consignments of mechanical sprays and related spare parts, used for pesticide control.
As part of COVID-19 measures, most of the spraying machines from rural areas have been reportedly diverted to urban areas. This has resulted in the shortage of such machines in farms.
To meet the demand, companies have begun importing such equipment from China. But they are upheld at customs check owing to the government rules that call for 100 percent examination of Chinese imports.
To the rising criticism against him, Gadkari said, “I am among the strongest proponents of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Anyone who is even slightly acquainted with me would know about my passion and work towards Make in India.”
In a letter to the Finance Minister, the Transport Minister had sought early clearance to the imported agricultural equipment. Though the Minister didn’t name the exporting nation, most of such material is reportedly coming from China.
