Reduce import duty of glass industry.

All India Glass Manufacturers Federation(AIGMF) Secretary Manoharlal today said it would urge the Centre to reduce the import duty of the Glass Industry to zero per cent on raw material.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Manoharlal said Rs 4500 crore Glass Industry was growing at eight to ten per cent and there is a huge potential for exports to the world, including Europe and America.

The Centre is imposing a duty of 7.5 per cent on the import of Soda Ash, he said. AIGMF is urging the Centre to make it zero per cent to enable Indian Glass Industry to compete at the Global market, he added.

He said to overcome high input cost of energy, the Federation would urge the Government to allot an alternate energy source for the Industry.

Expressing concern over the unchecked reuse of glass containers in the Pharmaceutical drugs and food products industries in India, Mr Manoharlal said AIGMF would implement their traceability initiative from next month across the country.

The AIGMF Secretary opined that the Federation would urge the Government to enforce a policy of 'Marking for Traceability' to stop illegal practice, if any.