Lok Sabha Question No. 3147 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-05
Subject: Influx of Chinese Firecrackers
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER, KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3147 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 th  DECEMBER, 2016

## INFLUX OF CHINESE FIRECRACKERS

## 3147.   SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER: SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाͨणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंğी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  influx  of  Chinese  firecrackers  in  the  Indian markets in large amounts and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether  any  permission  or  trade  agreements  have  been  entered  into  with  regard  to Chinese firecrackers  and if  so,  the  details  thereof  and if  not, how  these  firecrackers  are entering into the Indian markets;
- (c) whether these Chinese firecrackers are causing harm to the Indian trading community and the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether any study has been conducted to check the illegal transportation of these harmful Chinese firecrackers and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  stop  the  illegal  dumping  of  these  lifethreatening firecrackers by China; and
- (f) the details of licensing procedure in respect of trade of firecrackers along with the steps proposed to be taken to tighten the said procedure in the wake of growing explodes?

## ANSWER

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## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) to (f) :   Import of 'Fireworks' covered under Indian Trade (Harmonized System) classification [ITC(HS)] code  36041000  is  'restricted'  and  no one  can  import  fireworks  without a license/authorization  from  the  Directorate  General  of  Foreign  Trade  (DGFT).  For  last  three years no license /authorization have been issued by DGFT.  India has no trading agreements for import of firecrackers from China.  Further, as per available data, no import of 'fireworks' has taken place from China or any other country during the last three years and the current year (up to September 2016). However there have been cases of illegal imports of fireworks.

The Customs Authorities and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) have made several seizures of illegally imported foreign origin firecrackers based on specific intelligence in places like  Mundra;  ICD,  Dadri;  Nhava  Sheva;  ICD,  Loni;  ICD,  Tughlakabad;  Raigad  and  Sangrur. Further,  to  curb  the  menace  of  illegal  import  and  smuggling  of  these  foreign  made firecrackers,  DRI  has  issued  alert/ modus  operandi circulars  to  sensitize  the  Customs  field formations and also the Chief Secretaries and the Director Generals of Police of various State Governments on the issue.

Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organization (PESO), under the Explosives Rules, through its field  offices,  has  been  taking  action  on  seized  fireworks  including  destroying  them.  Special drive is also undertaken by PESO during festival periods to ensure no foreign origin fireworks are stored or sold.

Government has also been issuing press notices in English, Hindi and vernacular languages in National and Regional papers on a regular basis during the festive season, for the past few years, informing the public that possession and sale of fireworks of foreign origin in India is illegal and punishable under the law and that information about possession and/ or sale of such fireworks may be reported to the nearest police station for suitable action.

The sale  of  fireworks  is  regulated  by  the  Explosives  Rules,  2008  framed  under  the Explosives Act, 1884 and a license is required for possession and sale of fireworks.

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