Requests the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to withdraw the notification as it will bring hardship to importers
Government of India under the Gazette Notification dated 11 February 2022, restricted the import of moong beans with immediate effect. Previously, the import of moong beans was allowed under the ‘free’ category subject to the Bill of Lading being issued by March 31, 2022, and customs clearance by June 30, 2022.
Bimal Kothari, Vice Chairman, India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) on this recent notification said, “Based on the “free” import policy, Indian market participants entered into binding contractual obligations for the import of Moong from other countries into India. It was barely two months ago, as of 20th December 2021, that the Government of India allowed the ‘free’ import of Moong and has now changed that policy overnight. On behalf of all market players, we request the Government of India to reconsider the Notification Restricting Import and reinstate the ‘free’ import policy.
According to Kothari, frequent policy changes create immense financial hardship for Indian market participants and uncertainty for international counterparts. Such changes are counterproductive for international trade and inconsistent with India’s “Ease of Doing Business” objective.
He said, “Consequently, we request the government to provide reasonable advance notice to the market before introducing new policies that can hamper existing trade commitments. We are making representation to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to withdraw this notification, as Indian importers have contracted cargoes that are presently in transit to Indian ports. If these cargoes are not allowed to be imported, it will create an immense financial hardship to Indian companies and chaos in the market.”
