The Indian government has imposed new guidelines and procedures for the import of metallic scrap and waste in the wake of recent loss of life and property in explosions caused by live shells in imported scrap.
Terming the imports a in violation of the Foreign Trade Policy and the Foreign Trade Act, 1992, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry E V K S Elangovan said during the Question Hour that the new guidelines were laid down after a series of Inter-Ministerial consultations held by the Government.
According to these procedures, import of all kinds of metallic scrap and waste in unshredded, compressed or loose form will be accompanied by a pre-inspection certificate to the effect that the imported consignment does not contain any ammunition, or other explosive material or radio-active material irrespective of the source of such imports, he said.
Such imports would also be subject to 100 percent examination according to the procedures laid down by the Customs, he said adding the imports would be restricted through 15 ports only.