The Hindu Business Line : Govt aiming for boost in salt exports to US, China

Speaking to presspersons, Mr S. Sundaresan, Salt Commissioner, said that China, itself a major producer, was an emerging market for industrial grade salt.

The first shipment of 25,000 tonnes left for Shanghai recently; exports could go up to four to five-lakh tonnes. Exports to the US are likely to touch one-lakh tonne this year against 25,000 tonnes in 2002.

India exports about 12 lakh tonnes of salt annually and this is targeted to grow to 20 lakh tonnes by the end of 2007.

It is necessary to upgrade the quality of salt to international standards, for which sodium chloride content of more than 97 per cent is required, against 96 per cent available in India.

Another concern is the infrastructure at ports. Leading exporters can load about 40,000 tonnes salt a day while Indian ports handle only about 4,000 tonnes.

The Salt Department is setting up model salt farms, with the first expected to start functioning soon in Nawa, Rajasthan where saline groundwater and lakes are available.

The next one is to come up at Ganjam, Orissa, and one more is possible at Valinokkam in Tamil Nadu. These would train small farmers who produce the bulk of the 150-lakh tonnes of salt produced in India annually.

Apart from technology, the department is also working to improve the conditions of one-lakh saltpan labourers.

A housing project with the Central Government extending 90 per cent assistance has been started.

The first batch of 250 houses at a cost of about Rs 40,000 per unit will be ready at Valinokkam by next March.

Over 700 more such houses are planned at other production centres in Tamil Nadu, Mr Sundaresan said. The department is also looking at a group insurance scheme with the Government bearing the entire premium amount.

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