Ban on import of eggs lifted, indefinitely

GANGTOK, 21 Jan: In welcome news for consumers and traders in the state, the Animal Husbandry Department has lifted the ban on import of eggs into Sikkim. It may be recalled that the ban was lifted for three months [Oct to Dec 2012] initially and there was much uncertainty over whether the ban had be reinforced with the New Year or whether the lifting of the ban would be extended. Department officials confirmed today that the lifting of the ban has now been extended indefinitely.
When the ban had been lifted for the initial period of three months, the Department was to undertake a detailed survey on the status of egg production in Sikkim, demand and future initiatives. It is clear that local production, which invariably dips in winters, is not enough to meet the market demand.
Speaking to NOW! today, the Secretary, AH&VS department, DP Sharma, confirmed that the State government has decided to approve the import of eggs into the state in order to meet local demand. While stating that the official order for the same would be issued and circulated by the department on Tuesday [22 Jan 2013], he mentioned that it was the decision of the department to pursue the lifting of the ban with the state government which had come through at the right moment.
The ban, it may be mentioned, did return this month and has been in place since 01 Jan 2013. Even as the ban on eggs has been lifted, it remains in force for other poultry products including dressed chicken.
“There are over 6 lakh people in Sikkim and this number keeps fluctuating [with the tourist season]. If you take half of these people as egg consumers, the demand is much higher than the overall production of eggs in Sikkim. There is so much protein requirement which we could not overlook, thus we decided that the solution would be to lift the ban indefinitely,” he explained.
Further, while highlighting that the ban on bringing in poultry was still in place and that only eggs were allowed to be brought from outside, he informed that the traders would still have to seek permission from the AH&VS Department to begin importing eggs.
“Every person can see that there is limited supply of eggs in Sikkim which is not meeting the demand. So, till the department feels that there is sufficient supply from inhouse farms, the relaxation of the ban will continue,” stated the Secretary.
Further, he also informed that the survey that was being undertaken by the Department in all the four districts regarding the feasibility of egg production would also be completed and the assessment report presented by the concerned Additional Director of the Department by 31 March 2013.
“We know what the survey report will highlight which is why we have lifted the ban. Since supply of chicken is not a problem in Sikkim and local farmers are benefitting from this trade, it is the state government’s policy not to lift the ban on import of chicken. However, the scenario of egg supplies is the opposite which is why the ban has been lifted,” he explained.
It was also informed that egg production in Sikkim is not proving to be feasible since the local farmers have expressed that the trade is not economically viable for them. The climate in Sikkim is another factor hampering egg production which is why it is still not an attractive proposition for farmers here. However, the department has stated that any farmer interested in egg production would be provided all technical and knowledge support along with subsidized loans from financial institutions to venture into this trade.
“We already have five demo egg production farms in Sikkim and if the proper methods are applied then egg production can prove feasible and sustainable for the farmers. We will also provide all assistance to local farmers and entrepreneurs who want to do this trade but till the supply to the rising demand is not met by the local farmers we shall continue with the relaxation in the ban,” he stated.

After 2-month breather, ban resumes on import of eggs

GANGTOK, 04 Jan: Traders of poultry products, especially eggs, are back in the cold with the resumption of the ban on import of eggs. The notification issued by the Animal Husbandry Department in mid October temporarily lifting the ban on the import of eggs expired on 31 December. This had been only a temporary lifting of the ban on import of eggs which the department had issued “in view of the tourist season and the shortage of eggs in the market”. The lifting of the ban had also been explained by the department as owing to the holiday season and rise in the demand of eggs.
It had been expected that the department would not clamp down on the import of eggs and extend the notification. However that has not happened. Traders inform that the ban is back in place and operation.
Earlier while inquiring with officials of the department it had been confirmed that the ban on import of eggs would be back in operation from 01 January. And as the state would have it, the import of eggs from outside into Sikkim is once again banned bringing into focus the arbitrary hand being played by the state. Prices of eggs are expected to skyrocket once again which had actually come down drastically the past few weeks. Shortage of poultry and protein has once again hit the markets and breakfast tables.
On the other hand the government is holding steadfast onto its illogical and ill informed ban on the import of dressed chicken into the state. All these bans are being bandied about by the government on the excuse of bird flu which we have not heard about in more than a year now.
What is strange is that the notification temporarily lifting the ban on import of eggs made no mention of bird flu. As a result the public of the state are in for a hard time again when it comes to chicken and eggs. Apart from the common man the common small time trader has once again been affected and as one trader informs they will be getting together to petition the concerned department – for the umpteenth time.

Border Trade records first imports in 6 years at Rs. 1.8 lakh

TRADERS’ MEETING INCONCLUSIVE OVER PRICE WAR
GANGTOK, 22 July: There is a raging price war among Sikkim traders engaged in the Nathula Border Trade which is bringing down the price of goods being sold across to traders from Tibet. Involved in this price war are the Sikkim traders who, it seems, are a divided lot. A tussle has begun between old traders [who have been trading over the past seasons] and the new lot who have received trade passes this season.
This resulted in a meeting being called by the Traders’ Association in Gangtok on 20 July to come to some sort of understanding. Despite such hindrances this is the first season in 6 years which saw imports of Chinese goods into Sikkim and serves as an encouragement to traders of both sides.
With a view to carve a niche for themselves the new traders have reportedly been selling goods across the border at prices lower than the rates established by the traders thus far. This has led to the lowering of prices of main items of trade thus affecting the margin of profit and forcing the older traders also to bring down their ‘higher’ pricing.
Thus the price of a sack of sugar – about 50 kg – has come down from the “normal” [for Nathula thus far] of Rs. 2,600 to Rs. 2,200 and it is informed that new traders are also willing to sell it for Rs. 2,000. The actual price [in Sikkim] of 50 kg of sugar is just Rs. 1,700. Similarly, the other major item of trade, rice, a 50 kg sack of which was initially being sold across the border at Rs. 2,000 has seen a “fall” in rates as well. Sources inform that the new set of traders are even willing to sell it at below Rs. 1,500 with some even willing to sell it at its actual price of Rs. 1,110.
Not to be left out, the Chinese traders have also added their own dimension to this jamboree over prices. Seeing the price war among the traders here, it is informed that they are now declining from buying in bulk and refraining from buying some items altogether with the motive of inducing a further fall in prices.
The traders’ association meeting of 20 July among traders proved inconclusive as new traders could not be convinced to increase their rates. There was talk of refraining from engaging in trade for a week in order to get prices up again but this also was not finally decided upon. In fact the old traders were at a loss to understand how items could be sold at such low rates. Adding another twist some items are being returned by the Chinese traders as these are not accompanied by their dates of manufacture and expiry.
While the dilemma of the old traders continues, what comes as tremendous news for the government is the fact that for the first time in 5 seasons of trade the border trade has recorded imports. The month of June 2012 witnessed the first official imports since 2007 when Chinese traders stopped bringing in listed items as they had no market. This season, with a shallow increase in the items of trade, import figures have been recorded just over Rs. 1.8 lakh for the month of June. On the other hand, exports were a whopping Rs. 1.91 crore.
The main items of import are blankets, quilts, carpets and china clay the largest item of import for June being blankets which saw 200 pieces worth over Rs. 1,00,000 being imported.

Imports ‘nil’, but Chinese goods still flood local markets though Nathula

CUSTOMS OFFICIALS UNDERTAKE ENQUIRY INTO IRREGULARITES, REPORT COULD END UP WITH THE CVC

GANGTOK, 30 Nov: Nathula, which was once more popular as a tourist destination and later as a symbol of the beginnings of Sino-Indian bonhomie marking the official recognition of Sikkim as part of the Indian Union by China, is, among the common folk, becoming less known for the above.