Lok Sabha Question No. 4164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-07
Subject: Merger of Commodity Boards
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: PRATHAP SIMHA, SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4164 TO BE ANSWERED ON  07 th  JANUARY, 2019

## MERGER OF COMMODITY BOARDS

4164.  SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA: KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

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

- (a) whether the Government is planning merger of the Commodity Boards into a single entity in order to improve production and exports of plantation crops and if so, the details thereof along with the initiatives of these Boards to enhance the quality and boost exports of plantation crops;
- (b) whether  exports  of  Coffee,  Tea,  Spices,  Tobacco  have  recorded  positive  growth during the last three years and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of grants received by these Boards for implementation of Schemes in the respective sectors during the last three years;
- (d) whether  there  is  any  proposal  for  creating  Cashew  Board  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has approved to extend 7th CPC benefits to Pensioners of Coffee Board and other Commodity Boards w.e.f. 1/1/2016, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a) : No  Madam.  Government  has  taken  various  initiatives through the individual Commodity Boards to enhance the quality and boost exports of these plantation crops by way of providing financial and technical assistance to the growers and the industry for new planting, replanting, rejuvenation, quality up-gradation, value addition and market promotion through the schemes implemented by the these Boards.
- (b) :  The exports of coffee, tea and spices have recorded positive growth in 2017-18 against 2016-17and 2015-16. The export of tobacco has shown a decreasing trend. The  details of export during last three years are as below:
- (c) :  The details of grants received by these Boards for implementation of Schemes in the respective sectors during the last three years are as below:

(Qty. in MT and Value in Rs. Crores)

| Crop    | 2015-16      | 2015-16   | 2016-17      | 2016-17   | 2017-18      | 2017-18   |
|---------|--------------|-----------|--------------|-----------|--------------|-----------|
|         | Export (Qty) | Value     | Export (Qty) | Value     | Export (Qty) | Value     |
| Tea     | 2,32,920     | 4493.10   | 2,27,630     | 4632.50   | 2,56,570     | 5064.88   |
| Coffee  | 3,10,015     | 5056      | 3,43,933     | 5447      | 3,95,014*    | 6210      |
| Spices  | 8,43,255     | 16238.23  | 9,47,790     | 17812.23  | 1,028,060    | 17980.16  |
| Tobacco | 2,43,418     | 6058.13   | 2,31,800     | 5975.08   | 2,12,916     | 5539.94   |

Source: Commodity Boards.           * Provisional.

| Board         | 2015-16 (Actual)                                            | 2016-17 (Actual)                                            | 2017-18 (Revised)                                           |
|---------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|
| Tea Board     | 179.46                                                      | 150.41                                                      | 190.60                                                      |
| Coffee Board  | 157.34                                                      | 154.74                                                      | 186.55                                                      |
| Rubber Board  | 241.74                                                      | 184.75                                                      | 183.08                                                      |
| Spices Board  | 115.35                                                      | 89.35                                                       | 97.10                                                       |
| Tobacco Board | Tobacco Board has not drawn any grants from the Government. | Tobacco Board has not drawn any grants from the Government. | Tobacco Board has not drawn any grants from the Government. |

(d) :  There is no such proposal.

(e) : The Department of Commerce has approved to extend 7 th CPC benefits to Pensioners of Coffee Board and other Commodity Boards viz. Tea Board, Rubber Board, Spices Board and Tobacco Board with effect from 1.1.2016 vide order dated 27.12.2018 and vide order dated 17.12.2018 for Tobacco Board's pensioners.

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