The Commerce Ministry has decided to refer the matter of export of pulses by speical economic zone (SEZ) units to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, fearing possible political backlash on unilaterally allowing shipment of the commodity. At present, there is a ban on export of pulses to check its prices, but the ministry had recently announced SEZ units could export prohibited items if they imported the raw material and took prior approval of the Board of Approval (BoA), headed by Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar.
The issue of pulses exports from SEZs came up at the meeting of the inter-ministerial BoA last week, where it was decided to refer the proposal to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), as it involved policy decisions, an official said. “It was decided that the matter should be referred to the CCEA as it involves a larger policy intervention,” the official said.
“The Board noted that these are very sensitive products and there is requirement of clear policy for import and export,” the official said, adding that a clear cut policy on such issues were pending.