Why in News?
- The Salt Industry is facing immense challenges in meeting the demand and handling the crisis faced by salt farmers and workers.
- While farmers are facing low prices due to the non-availability of minimum support prices, workers are also in distress due to lack of appropriate arrangements for wages and social security.
Salt Industry in India-
- India ranks 3rd in the production of salt in the world next to the USA and China.
- Sea salt forms about 70% of the total salt production in the country.
- Salt manufacturing activities are conducted in the coastal states of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Orissa, West Bengal, Goa and hinterland State of Rajasthan.
- Gujarat produces around 28.5 million tonnes of salt per year which is more than 80% of the country’s total production.
- In Himachal and Rajasthan, salt is harvested by mining while in other states involving Gujarat, salt is produced through a solar evaporation process of seawater.
- Presently, the global salt production is 200 million tons and exceeding the mark rapidly.
- Worldwide industries manufacture this vast quantity of salt not only for consumption but for non-edible and industrial purposes also.
What are the problems the Salt Industry is facing currently?
- Classification of Salt Industry- Presently, Salt Industry is listed as a mining industry and it is governed by the Ministry of Industries & Mines.
- Though, the Indian Salt Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has demanded the classification of salt production as an agricultural activity under the Ministry of agriculture.
- This is because mining produces only just 0.5% salt. 99.5% of salt is produced either from sea water or from sub-soil water and the whole process is done by seeding, farming and harvesting.
- Demand for MSP for Salt- Unseasonal rains and floods are resulting in demand for Minimum Support Prices for the Salt industry.
- No Wage or Social Security- Salt companies have replaced cooperatives and they decide the wages of these workers and the production of farmers. Most of them are migrant labourers with no minimum wages or social security.
Role of Government in Development of Salt Industries-
- Under the 7th Schedule of the Constitution, Salt is a central subject listed as item number 58 of the Union List. It is listed as a mining industry.
- The Government of India has delicensed the Salt Industry by removing provisions relating to Salt in the Central Excise & Salt Act, 1944.
- The Salt Commissioner’s Organization plays a facilitating role in overall growth and development of the Salt Industry in the country.
- A separate nodal agency with common rules and regulations regarding salt production is needed. Minimum wages and social security must be ensured with a uniform policy for the whole country.