<p>The Customs department has been asked to keep a hawk-eyed vigil on the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-explosion-in-illegal-cracker-factory-kills-5-injures-4-in-uttar-pradesh-7954" target="_blank"> illegal import of firecrackers from abroad</a>, particularly from China, officials said.</p>

<p>The Central Board of Excise and Customs&#39; (CBEC) recent order to chiefs of customs zones across the country comes ahead of Diwali on October 19.</p>

<p>The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has been, from time to time, issuing alerts regarding sensitisation of officers and taking suitable measures to ensure prevention of illegal import of fireworks/crackers of foreign origin, the order stated.</p>

<p>&quot;In view of the above, it is requested that the officers under your jurisdiction may be suitably alerted and appropriate measures may be taken to ensure strict compliance with the notification,&quot; it said.</p>

<p>The import of fireworks is restricted and requires an import license from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.</p>

<p>&quot;Further, till date, no license to import fireworks has been granted for possession and /or sale under the Explosives Rules, 2008, by Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation,&quot; said the order, issued by the anti-smuggling unit of the CBEC on September 27.</p>

<p>It cited a Supreme Court directive last month asking the Centre to ensure strict compliance of a 1992 government notification regarding the ban on the import of fireworks.</p>

<p>The notification was issued by the Department of Industrial Development (now Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion) on January 27, 1992.</p>

<p>On <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-supreme-court-bans-firecrackers-in-delhi-for-now-9322" target="_blank">October 9, the apex court</a> <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/experts-welcome-sc-decision-to-ban-firecrackers-21189" target="_blank">banned the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR region till November 1</a>.</p>

<p>There have been attempts from across the border to smuggle cheap and dangerous fireworks, especially of Chinese- origin, into India ahead of Diwali, a DRI official said.</p>

<p>These illegally-imported firecrackers are often camouflaged as toys or imported illegally by concealing them in other goods being brought into the country from abroad, he said.</p>

<p>Foreign remittances in case of import of Chinese fireworks are generally made through hawala channels and such goods are sold illegally in India, the official claimed.</p>

<p>Chinese-origin fireworks are known to contain sulphur and other hazardous substances, impacting on the environment and on the general health of the public, he said.</p>

<p>The DRI, the lead agency to check smuggling and customs duty frauds, had in January this year seized China-made fireworks worth Rs 10 crore.</p>

<p>They were imported illegally by a Punjab-based importer, the DRI official said.</p>

<p>During an examination of containers carrying goods at the Inland Container Depot (ICD), Tughlakabad, DRI officials found fireworks hidden behind cartons of bicycle pumps and plastic packing material to avoid detection.</p>


There have been attempts from across the border to smuggle cheap and dangerous fireworks, especially of Chinese- origin, into India ahead of Diwali, a DRI official said

The Customs department has been asked to keep a hawk-eyed vigil on the illegal import of firecrackers from abroad, particularly from China, officials said. The Central Board of Excise and Customs' (CBEC) recent order to chiefs of customs zones across the country comes ahead of Diwali on October 19. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has been, from time to time, issuing alerts regarding sensitisation of officers and taking suitable measures to ensure prevention of illegal import of fireworks/crackers of foreign origin, the order stated. "In view of the above, it is requested that the officers under your jurisdiction may be suitably alerted and appropriate measures may be taken to ensure strict compliance with the notification," it said. The import of fireworks is restricted and requires an import license from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. "Further, till date, no license to import fireworks has been granted for possession and /or sale under the Explosives Rules, 2008, by Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation," said the order, issued by the anti-smuggling unit of the CBEC on September 27. It cited a Supreme Court directive last month asking the Centre to ensure strict compliance of a 1992 government notification regarding the ban on the import of fireworks. The notification was issued by the Department of Industrial Development (now Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion) on January 27, 1992. On October 9, the apex court banned the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR region till November 1. There have been attempts from across the border to smuggle cheap and dangerous fireworks, especially of Chinese- origin, into India ahead of Diwali, a DRI official said. These illegally-imported firecrackers are often camouflaged as toys or imported illegally by concealing them in other goods being brought into the country from abroad, he said. Foreign remittances in case of import of Chinese fireworks are generally made through hawala channels and such goods are sold illegally in India, the official claimed. Chinese-origin fireworks are known to contain sulphur and other hazardous substances, impacting on the environment and on the general health of the public, he said. The DRI, the lead agency to check smuggling and customs duty frauds, had in January this year seized China-made fireworks worth Rs 10 crore. They were imported illegally by a Punjab-based importer, the DRI official said. During an examination of containers carrying goods at the Inland Container Depot (ICD), Tughlakabad, DRI officials found fireworks hidden behind cartons of bicycle pumps and plastic packing material to avoid detection.

Diwali: Government sounds 'alert' on illegal import of crackers

<p>This is the festive season in India. Even before the sounds of firecrackers rattled our nerves, the newspapers and channels were abuzz with discussions about India&rsquo;s growing trade deficit with China. The ruling party at the centre, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been giving a clarion call for some years now that Indians celebrating Diwali must do it the &quot;swadeshi&quot; way, that is, lit-up firecrackers made only in India, and not in China.&nbsp; The call in favour of India-made goods has gone so far as to advocate a ban of Chinese crackers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The sudden surge in anti-China import policy has to be understood in the context of India&#39;s growing trade deficit with China.&nbsp;The trade deficit increased from Rs. 8, 79,50,384 in 2011-12, to 10,34,84,366 in 2012-13 and fell slightly at Rs. 7, 73,92,003 in 2015-16. In other words, in recent years, India is buying more from China than we are selling to China.</p>

<p>Imports from China constitute 13 per cent in 2014-15 and 16 per cent of our total imports in 2015-16. However, the composition of the imports has to be examined to shed light on the nature of imports. This is important, because if we are buying intermediate goods that are being used in our production, then the import is adding value to the Indian economy.</p>

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<p>The importance of analysing imports in a country&rsquo;s trade has been recognised in recent years. The nature of imports of a country matters since imports of capital goods, raw materials, and final goods depend on the purpose for which the good is being imported. Imports of intermediates are beneficial since they are most likely to be used in the manufacturing sectors of the country, thus contributing to employment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>What does India buy from China?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Data from India&rsquo;s Ministry of Commerce and Industry shows that the largest imports from China to India over the period 2004 to 2016, has been in the category electrical machinery and equipment, nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances and organic&nbsp;chemicals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Examining the data in greater detail gives us the breakup of imports in the above-mentioned categories. The top ten items imported by India in the last four years (2012-13 to 2015-16 ) are mobile phones, urea, personal computer (including laptops and palmtops), all items of machinery for setting up of industrial plants, power plants, among other things.&nbsp; Items imported in particular years also included diammonium phosphate (DAP), diloxanide furoate, cimetidine, famotidine (or bulk drugs), and solar cells or photovoltaic cells.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Why are these items being imported by India?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Based on a preliminary assessment of imports from China to India, apart from the cellular phones and laptops, it seems that in certain categories India is importing intermediates. These intermediates can be used for production for the domestic market or for exports. Thus, if some production and value addition is occurring due to the use of intermediate imports, it is contributing to the GDP and the employment of the country and is, therefore, beneficial. This ties in well with the &ldquo;Make in India&rdquo; programme launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Imports of solar cells are in line with its solar target made as part of India&rsquo;s INDC (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions) commitment at the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Banning &ndash; repercussions&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>There has been a recent debate regarding banning of crackers from China. Very little of this category of good, includes ship flares, has been imported from China in the last four years. If so little of this item is imported from China, is the ban justified? Of course, it is possible that some of the ingredients used for making crackers are imported from China. However, even then the argument of the &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; will hold as the final product is being made in the country and not in China. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Moreover banning Chinese goods, including intermediates for our own production could hurt our own industries. Nor are such bans acceptable under the WTO regime, and in case dumping occurs, both countries can use the dispute settlement mechanism of the WTO&nbsp; for redressal of grievances. &nbsp;</p>

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<p>India is seeking to expand its exports worldwide and become more competitive globally. India&rsquo;s exports to China constitute 3.8 per cent of our exports to the world in 2014-15 and 3.4 per cent in 2015-16. Top goods exported to China in 2014-15 and 2015-16 include, among other, cotton, copper and mineral fuels. India&rsquo;s exports will get hurt if India does ban Chinese goods and China follows suit. Exporters of cotton, copper and mineral fuels etc. will lose the Chinese market. If such a situation prevails, both countries lose and this undermines the multilateral trading system on which the WTO edifice is built.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity.</em></p>


Is the call for ban on Chinese firecrackers justified on grounds of economic nationalism?

This is the festive season in India. Even before the sounds of firecrackers rattled our nerves, the newspapers and channels were abuzz with discussions about India’s growing trade deficit with China. The ruling party at the centre, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been giving a clarion call for some years now that Indians celebrating Diwali must do it the "swadeshi" way, that is, lit-up firecrackers made only in India, and not in China. The call in favour of India-made goods has gone so far as to advocate a ban of Chinese crackers. The sudden surge in anti-China import policy has to be understood in the context of India's growing trade deficit with China. The trade deficit increased from Rs. 8, 79,50,384 in 2011-12, to 10,34,84,366 in 2012-13 and fell slightly at Rs. 7, 73,92,003 in 2015-16. In other words, in recent years, India is buying more from China than we are selling to China. Imports from China constitute 13 per cent in 2014-15 and 16 per cent of our total imports in 2015-16. However, the composition of the imports has to be examined to shed light on the nature of imports. This is important, because if we are buying intermediate goods that are being used in our production, then the import is adding value to the Indian economy. If we are buying intermediate goods that are being used in our production, then the import is adding value to the Indian economy × The importance of analysing imports in a country’s trade has been recognised in recent years. The nature of imports of a country matters since imports of capital goods, raw materials, and final goods depend on the purpose for which the good is being imported. Imports of intermediates are beneficial since they are most likely to be used in the manufacturing sectors of the country, thus contributing to employment. What does India buy from China? Data from India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry shows that the largest imports from China to India over the period 2004 to 2016, has been in the category electrical machinery and equipment, nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances and organic chemicals. Examining the data in greater detail gives us the breakup of imports in the above-mentioned categories. The top ten items imported by India in the last four years (2012-13 to 2015-16 ) are mobile phones, urea, personal computer (including laptops and palmtops), all items of machinery for setting up of industrial plants, power plants, among other things. Items imported in particular years also included diammonium phosphate (DAP), diloxanide furoate, cimetidine, famotidine (or bulk drugs), and solar cells or photovoltaic cells. Why are these items being imported by India? Based on a preliminary assessment of imports from China to India, apart from the cellular phones and laptops, it seems that in certain categories India is importing intermediates. These intermediates can be used for production for the domestic market or for exports. Thus, if some production and value addition is occurring due to the use of intermediate imports, it is contributing to the GDP and the employment of the country and is, therefore, beneficial. This ties in well with the “Make in India” programme launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Imports of solar cells are in line with its solar target made as part of India’s INDC (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions) commitment at the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). Banning – repercussions There has been a recent debate regarding banning of crackers from China. Very little of this category of good, includes ship flares, has been imported from China in the last four years. If so little of this item is imported from China, is the ban justified? Of course, it is possible that some of the ingredients used for making crackers are imported from China. However, even then the argument of the ‘Make in India’ will hold as the final product is being made in the country and not in China. Moreover banning Chinese goods, including intermediates for our own production could hurt our own industries. Nor are such bans acceptable under the WTO regime, and in case dumping occurs, both countries can use the dispute settlement mechanism of the WTO for redressal of grievances. Nor are such bans acceptable under the WTO regime × India is seeking to expand its exports worldwide and become more competitive globally. India’s exports to China constitute 3.8 per cent of our exports to the world in 2014-15 and 3.4 per cent in 2015-16. Top goods exported to China in 2014-15 and 2015-16 include, among other, cotton, copper and mineral fuels. India’s exports will get hurt if India does ban Chinese goods and China follows suit. Exporters of cotton, copper and mineral fuels etc. will lose the Chinese market. If such a situation prevails, both countries lose and this undermines the multilateral trading system on which the WTO edifice is built. Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity.

Banning Chinese goods: Nationalism, economic logic or bad call

<p>Ahead of India&#39;s festival of Diwali, the government of the country&#39;s capital Delhi has increased its vigil against imported firecrackers, ordering inspection teams to search markets and godowns more frequently.</p>

<p>In a review meeting attended by senior government and police officials, environment minister Imran Hussain directed strict action against those found violating the norms, India&#39;s news agency PTI reported.</p>

<p>The minsiter also ordered that court orders regarding the prevention of noise pollution --- especially relating to the complete ban on bursting of sound emitting firecrackers between 10pm to 6am ---&nbsp; would have to be enforced.</p>

<p>District-wise inspection teams, of senior administration officers and engineers, constituted for checking the availability of firecrackers in the market, have been asked to increase the frequency of their inspections, the environment ministry said in a statement.</p>

<p>&quot;The team(s) of officers from Licensing Unit constituted to check godowns randomly for availability of imported firecrackers in the market should augment their vigilance and field visits,&quot; the statement added.</p>

<p>The crackdown against imported firecrackers specially targets imports from China, an ally of Pakistan, with which India&#39;s relations have deteriorated after the Uri attacks in Kashmir. China has repeatedly blocked India&#39;s efforts at international forums for action against terrorist groups operating out of Pakistan.</p>

<p>The sale of Chinese crackers is likely to go down by 30% this Diwali, a traders body, Sale of Confederation of All India Traders, recently said in a statement.</p>

<p>Pollution levels in the city shoot up after Diwali. Last year, the air quality had deteriorated to &quot;severe&quot; after celebrations with pollution levels rising more than 20 times in certain areas of the city. Noise pollution was also high in most parts of the city.<br />
<br />
(WION with inputs from PTI)</p>


The crackdown against imported firecrackers is for reducing pollution and also to curb imports from China, reports suggest

Ahead of India's festival of Diwali, the government of the country's capital Delhi has increased its vigil against imported firecrackers, ordering inspection teams to search markets and godowns more frequently. In a review meeting attended by senior government and police officials, environment minister Imran Hussain directed strict action against those found violating the norms, India's news agency PTI reported. The minsiter also ordered that court orders regarding the prevention of noise pollution --- especially relating to the complete ban on bursting of sound emitting firecrackers between 10pm to 6am --- would have to be enforced. District-wise inspection teams, of senior administration officers and engineers, constituted for checking the availability of firecrackers in the market, have been asked to increase the frequency of their inspections, the environment ministry said in a statement. "The team(s) of officers from Licensing Unit constituted to check godowns randomly for availability of imported firecrackers in the market should augment their vigilance and field visits," the statement added. The crackdown against imported firecrackers specially targets imports from China, an ally of Pakistan, with which India's relations have deteriorated after the Uri attacks in Kashmir. China has repeatedly blocked India's efforts at international forums for action against terrorist groups operating out of Pakistan. The sale of Chinese crackers is likely to go down by 30% this Diwali, a traders body, Sale of Confederation of All India Traders, recently said in a statement. Pollution levels in the city shoot up after Diwali. Last year, the air quality had deteriorated to "severe" after celebrations with pollution levels rising more than 20 times in certain areas of the city. Noise pollution was also high in most parts of the city. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Ahead of festival, India strengthens drive against imported firecrackers