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OFFICE OF THE
COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS, |
PUBLIC
NOTICE NO. 242 /2001
Subject: Import of zinc sulphate having high content of Cadmium and Arsenic and sold as fertilizer for agriculture use - instructions reg.
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Government of India,
Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Central Board of Excise &
Customs, New Delhi, letter vide F.No.450/17/2001-Cus.IV dated 13.08.201, is
reproduced below for the guidance of the importers, clearing agents and trading
public.
Sd/-
S58/56/2001-AP (PORT)
(JOSEPH DOMINIC)
CUSTOM HOUSE, CHENNAI-1. COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS
(PORT)
DATE: 24.09.2001
______________________________________________________________________
The
Department of Agriculture & Cooperation has reported that consignments of
zinc sulphate having high content of Cadmium and Arsenic were imported in the
recent past and sold as fertilizer for agriculture use. Such contaminated
material may cause harm to the soils and is injurious to the crops. As per the
clause 35(4) of the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985, importers of
fertilizers are supposed to inform the Department of Agriculture &
Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and the State Government well in advance
to enable the State and Central enforcement machinery to draw the samples at
discharge ports to check the quality. The provisions of FCO, 1985 is not being
complied with by some of the importers and as such, the samples are not taken
by the concerned authorities after the material arrives at the discharge port
and the contaminated material may flow in the market as fertilizer.
2.
In view of the above, Department of Agriculture &
Cooperation has requested the Board to issue necessary instructions to the port
authorities that before clearing the consignment, they may ask the importers of
fertilizers (except importers of urea which is presently canalized and imported
on behalf of the Department of Fertilizer in the Government of India thus
Government knows about the import schedule) whether the provisions of FCO have
been complied with in terms of informing the Ministry of Agriculture and
concerned State Governments. In case such information has not been given, their
consignment may not be cleared and the importers may be asked to inform the
concerned Ministry of the State Governments in the matter.
3.
The matter has been examined by the Board. It is hereby
instructed that no consignment of fertilizers (except urea) be allowed
clearance unless importers comply with the provisions of FCO, 1985 as mentioned
above. FCO, 1985 is a priced publication and may be obtained from the
Fertilizer Association of India, 10, Shaheed Jit Singh Marg, New Delhi - 110
067 for reference.
ATTESTED
(S.
SANKARAVADIVELU)
DY. COMMR. OF CUSTOMS (APPG)
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