Monitoring system for importing paper on cards

The sources said there will be a monitoring system on the lines of the one that exists for the steel sector. In the steel sector, the government has made it mandatory for traders to register themselves with Steel Import Monitoring System to import 215 iron and steel products.

Now a similar arrangement is being worked out for the paper industry as well. With this, importers will have to give specific information about the product before importing.

Under the system, which is under consideration, a paper importer would have to submit advance information in an online system for imports of these items, and obtain an automatic registration number by paying specified amount of fee.

Government said the move is to help the local paper manufacturing industry.

Speaking to PrintWeek, a local paper trader said, “Already there is a shortage of paper due to the coronavirus in China. The paper traders who import will be constrained by one more compliance chore plus harassment and red tapism."

It is clear that the system is playing into the hands of local paper mill manufacturers,” he added.

(Courtesy: Agencies)