Date:13/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/13/stories/2007051302191300.htm

Business

Abolition of import duty on printing paper sought

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The All-India Federation of Master Printers (AIFMP) has urged the Centre to do away with import duty on paper to curb black-marketing and bring down rising prices of paper.

Expressing concern over the sharp rise in paper prices witnessed in recent months that was affecting the printing industry, AIFMP President, Manoj Mehta, said import duty exemption on printing paper would help neutralise the sharp rise in paper prices.

Accusing the mill owners of arbitrarily raising paper prices, Mr. Mehta said the Government charged no duty on the import of printed materials, while the duty on paper stood at just over 29 per cent, which was unjustified.

Asking the Government to maintain a buffer stock of 10,000 tonnes of printing paper as was done a few years back, Mr. Mehta said the Government should extend the credit-linked capital subsidy scheme for technology upgradation of small scale industries during the XI Plan so that the printing industry could benefit from it. The Federation also demanded curb on export of paper as long as a supply-demand gap existed.