Salt
Background
Salt is one of the essential items of human consumption. The per-capita consumption of salt in the country is estimated at about 14 kg per annum which includes edible as well as industrial salt. India is the third largest salt producing country in the world with an average annual production of about 165 lakh tonnes.
Size
The average annual production of salt in the country is about 165 lakh tonnes. The current annual requirement of salt in the country is estimated to be 60 lakh tonnes for edible use (including requirement of cattle) and 85 lakh tones for industrial use. Caustic soda, soda ash, chlorine, etc. are the major salt-based industries. Besides, about 24 lakhs tones of salt is exported every year.
There are about 13,000 salt works, mostly in small sector, engaged in the production of salt. The total area under salt production is about 5 lakh acres. The salt manufacturing activities provide direct employment to about 1.5 lakh persons.
Export of common salt and iodised salt is permitted under Open General License (O.G.L). Salt is exported mainly to Japan, Philippines, China, U.S.A, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Bhutan etc.
Export of Salt
(Figures in Lakh MT)
|
Year |
Quantity |
|
2002-2003 |
12.02 |
|
2003-2004 |
11.34 |
|
2004-2005 |
32.08 |
|
2005-2006 |
29.77 |
|
2006-2007 (upto Dec.06) |
13.50 (upto Dec.06) |
Structural Characteristics
Private sector plays a dominant role contributing over 65 per cent of the salt production in the country, while the public sector contributes about 2 per cent. The cooperative sector contributes about 9 per cent whereas the small-scale sector (less than 10 acres) accounts for nearly 24 per cent of the total salt production in the country.
Salt manufacturing season commences with the closure of monsoon i.e. by 15 October and lasts up to June of the following year till onset of the monsoon season.
Policy
Salt works having an area up to 10 acres set up by individuals or group of individuals are exempted from payment of cess levied under the provisions of the Salt Cess Act, 1953 and Rules made thereunder. Similarly, salt exported to foreign countries is also exempted from payment of cess.
Iodised Salt
With a view to ensure universal access to iodised salt for the prevention and control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) in the country, Salt Commissioner’s office has been identified as the Nodal Agency for creation of adequate salt iodisation capacity, monitoring production and quality of Iodised Salt at production centers and monitoring distribution of Iodised Salt in the entire country, under National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP) being implemented by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. Salt Organisation has granted permission to more than 825 salt iodisation units with an annual installed capacity of 118 lakhs tonnes so far. The production and supplies of iodised salt during the last five years is given below:
Salt Production (Figures in Lakh MT)
|
Year |
Target |
Production |
|
2002 |
140 |
178.79 |
|
2003 |
150 |
148.82 |
|
2004 |
155 |
147.61 |
|
2005 |
180 |
199.24 |
|
2006 (Upto Dec.06) |
185 |
172.98 |
For iodisation of salt and to meet the needs of industrial sector, emphasis is being laid on manufacture of high purity salt. Upgradation of raw salt quality to meet this requirement is achieved by encouraging establishment of salt washeries and refineries. Salt Organization has facilitated establishment of 41 salt washeries / refineries till date and all the units registered with the Salt Commissionerate have commenced commercial production. Railways play an important role in transporting salt from three major salt producing states viz. Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan to meet the requirement of the country. On an average about 55 per cent of edible salt is transported by rail from production centers. The remaining quantity moves by road and waterway.
Production & Supplies of Iodised Salt ( Figures in Lakh MT)
|
Year |
Production |
Supplies |
|
2002-2003 |
36.89 |
35.11 |
|
2003-2004 |
42.52 |
40.43 |
|
2004-2005 |
46.10 |
44.29 |
|
2005-2006 |
49.84 |
48.27 |
|
2006-2007(Upto Dec., 06) |
31.61 |
36.27 |
References: Annual Report Ministry of Commerce & Industry