Lok Sabha Question No. 4497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-19
Subject: Import of Silk
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Arun Sao

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4497 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2019

## IMPORT OF SILK

## 4497. SHRI ARUN SAO:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- a) the quantum of silk imported during each of the last three years and the current year;
- b) the details of custom duty imposed on silk during the said period;
- c) whether the Government has taken measures to improve the quality of silk being produced in the country; and
- d) if so, the details thereof ?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंरी ( श्रीमती स्मृ तत ज़ूबिन इरानी )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a) : The  quantity  of  raw  silk  imported  during  last  three  years  and  current year 2019-20 (till May-19) is given below:
- (b): At present, the basic customs duty of 10% & 20% is levied on raw silk and  silk  fabric  import  respectively.    The  Customs  Duty  imposed  on import raw silk and silk fabric during the last three years is given below:
- (c) & (d): Central  Silk  Board,  a  statutory  body  under  the  Ministry  of Textiles,  Government  of  India  is  implementing  a  restructured  Central Sector  Scheme  'Silk  Samagra'  for  development  of  sericulture  in  the Country, which mainly focuses on improving quality and productivity of domestic  silk  thereby  reducing  the  country's  dependence  on  imported silk.    Central  Silk  Board  has  taken  following  measures  to  improve  the quality of silk being produced in the country:
- i. Production  of  Bivoltine Silk: Bivoltine silk is the high  quality mulberry silk  produced  in  India  as  an  import  substitute  silk.    R&D has been focused to evolve productive bivoltine hybrids and package of practices for production of high quality bivoltine silk in the country.
- ii. Strengthening  the  Research  &  Development  system  to  improve  the levels  of  cocoon  production  and  productivity  to  develop  improved mulberry/host plant varieties, silkworm hybrids and technology packages.
- iii. Cold Storage facilities and Bivoltine grainages have been strengthened to produce, store and supply quality Bivoltine silkworm seed.
- iv. For  production  of  3A-4A  grade  raw  Silk  from  the  bivoltine  cocoons, Automatic  Reeling  Machines  (ARM)/Units  have  been  established  in the country.
- v. Chawki  Rearing  Centres  (CRC)  are  being  popularized  to  supply healthy and quality young silk worms to the farmers.
- vi. North  East  Region  Textile  Promotion  Scheme  (NERTPS):  Under  this scheme,  38  Sericulture  projects  are  being  implemented  in  all  North Eastern States in the identified potential districts under three broad categories viz . , Integrated Sericulture Development Project (ISDP) and Intensive Bivoltine Sericulture Development  Project (IBSDP)  and Aspirational Districts .

| Year                  |   Raw silk import (Metric Tonne) |
|-----------------------|----------------------------------|
| 2016-17               |                             3795 |
| 2017-18               |                             3712 |
| 2018-19               |                             2785 |
| 2019-20 (Till May-19) |                              521 |

| Item of Import    | Year    | Basic Customs Duty   |
|-------------------|---------|----------------------|
| Mulberry Raw Silk | 2016-17 | 10%                  |
| Mulberry Raw Silk | 2017-18 | 10%                  |
| Mulberry Raw Silk | 2018-19 | 10%                  |
| Silk Fabrics      | 2016-17 | 10%                  |
| Silk Fabrics      | 2017-18 | 10%                  |
| Silk Fabrics      | 2018-19 | 20%                  |

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