NEW DELHI, March 22: The Centre will not allow dumping of chemicals by foreign companies at any cost. The new chemicals and fertiliser minister Surjit Singh Barnala told The Financial Express that any activity harming the interests of the domestic industry would be dealt with sternly.Critical of the role of international industrial houses responsible for dumping, Barnala said their activities would be scrutinised. "They will be watched and I shall see to it that their activities are quickly curbed, instead of being encouraged," warned the minister.
"We will be meeting representatives of the industry very soon, for discussing their problems and shall work closely with other departments to resolve various crucial issues that have been pending since long," the minister said.
Commenting on the pharmaceutical industry, Barnala said a new policy delving into all the issues related to price control of drugs would be formulated soon, in consultation with other ministries. "I would like to examine thisarea as I assume that the issue of pricing is being handled by some other ministry," he added.
He expressed confidence that life-saving drugs would continue to remain available at affordable prices for the benefit of the masses.
The union minister said that there was a need to take urgent corrective steps to increase self-reliance levels in the domestic pharmaceutical industry and increase exports. He promised that the promotion of exports would receive increased attention during his tenure.
Barnala declared that research and developmental efforts in the pharmaceutical sector have to be encouraged. "Domestic companies should aim for a large number of patents, so as to retain the competitive advantage and benefit the country."
"They need to develop their research base, but any help from outside shall not be discouraged," assured the minister. This, however, does not mean over-dependence on foreign inputs like technology and know-how.
Welcoming suggestions on various issues related to the industry,Barnala conceded that there was a need for more government and industry interaction, to resolve contentious issues.
The minister said there was a need to implement anti-dumping regulations strictly. A host of domestic companies engaged in the manufacture and use of a variety chemicals have been adversely affected by the unabated dumping of cheap chemicals from countries like South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan and many others.
The import of cheaper chemicals used as raw materials in diverse sectors have lead to demands from the domestic industry for higher duties on such imports.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
