The Ministry of Home Affairs last month decided to promote local products at Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) canteens. Creating a flutter, the cafeteria of the Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar (KPKB) delisted over 1,000 products after classifying them as “purely imported”. Surprisingly, the Home Ministry failed to realise that many banned items were purely Indian products.
Govt takes U-turn
The Centre allowed only Swadeshi goods to sell through KPKB. Bhandar started working from June 1 under the guidelines, without realising that many India made products have been removed from the list. The Union government took a U-turn on Monday and withdrew its decision as the number of banned items were Indian products. The Centre last month passed an order that paramilitary canteens will sell only domestic or Indian products from June 1 to promote local industries.
Indian products also delisted
Some of the items and brands that have been delisted at the armed forces canteens were- Dabur India Ltd, Bajaj Electricals, VIP, HUL, electronic items manufactured by Samsung, Bluestar, Havells and Eureka. Apart from these luggage manufacturing major VIP and Safari, sewing machine products Usha, Nilkamal furniture, and many more. Hence the government has been renewing its decision.
CRPF DG A P Maheshwari on Monday said that the order issued by Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar (KPKB) chief, supposedly in deference to the home ministry’s decision to sell only swadeshi goods through police/paramilitary canteens, was erroneous. He said that the KPKB CEO did not consult senior officers, and that action has been initiated into the lapse.
KPKB listed products in 3 categories
The Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars, which runs these canteens across the country, had listed all the products into three categories. Exclusively made in India items will come in category 1, while category 2 includes such items that imported raw materials but manufactured or assembled in the country. Fully imported products have been listed in the third category. The parent body KPKB has decided to stop the supply of some products of companies, which have failed to provide the information sought by KPKB
Armed forces have a huge turnover
Central Armed Police Forces canteens all over the country are involved in a large business (several thousands of crores) every year by selling products to the family members of about 10 lakh paramilitary personnel. As per the report of the Home Ministry, KPKB has made a mistake third time in issuing the orders of the swadeshi products. There is a suspicion that errors may be deliberate rather than by accident. Taking the issue seriously the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday directed that action will be taken against the culprit officers.
Inspired by PM Modi’s self-reliance speech
The Union government’s move to sell only Indian products in paramilitary canteens was inspired when the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s last month emphasised on the mantra of “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” or self-reliance and “vocal for local”. PM Modi batted for autonomy while announcing a mega economic package to overcome the staggering economy amid COVID-19.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in his address on May 12 that, he is ready to remove all domestic hurdles for manufacturing and, is trying to entice a share of the global value chain, which is currently focusing in China. He also pitched for the promotion of local industries in the country. PM Modi believes that the development of domestic productions will prove fruitful in bringing India’s economy back on the track.
