| Date: |
16-02-2015 |
| Subject: |
Government to tighten norms for export promotion councils |
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NEW DELHI: Dissatisfied with the functioning of export promotion councils, government has initiated an exercise to tighten the norms for working of these bodies, which get substantial funds for promoting exports.
The Textiles Ministry had called a meeting in December 2014 and reviewed the functioning of these councils.
In that meeting, it was decided that transparency is required in the election procedure of these councils, sources said.
Currently, there are 23 export promotion councils (EPCs) of which ten are administered by the Textiles Ministry. These include Apparel, Handicraft, Carpet and Handloom.
Sources said that the government may review the way these councils nominate officers on the Board of Directors and management.
All the executive heads of the textile EPCs may have to inform the ministry regarding their foreign country visits.
"There is an urgent need to re-look at the functioning of these councils," a government official said.
An official of a council said that issues related to functioning of these councils were discussed in the meeting called by the Textiles Minister.
It was also decided that activities of the councils with regard to export and conduct of exhibition, buyer-seller meet within India and abroad should be reviewed on quarterly basis.
Another official of the Council For Leather Exports said that the government should call a stakeholders meeting and discuss all the matters on which they have concerns.
Government provide fundings to these councils in order to boost exports and other related activities.
The exports are hovering around USD 300 billion for the last few fiscals and these councils contribute in enhancing the outbound shipments.
Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com
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