New Delhi: A stringent scrutiny of imported goods will reportedly start from 21 September to curb rampant violations of ‘rules of origin’ that have opened floodgates for dumping of Chinese goods in India through third countries such as Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia with which New Delhi has free trade agreements (FTAs).
Quoting officials, a Hindustan Times report said, ‘The Customs are armed with the new mechanism of verification that kicks in from September 21. It gives them full authority to check all FTA imports such as mobile phones, white goods, set-top boxes, incense sticks, cameras and other electronic gazettes more closely.’
Meanwhile, firmly articulating the country’s position on the tense border row with China in eastern Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said Beijing has been very clearly conveyed that any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control is not at all acceptable, and that India’s armed forces are ready to deal with all contingencies in the high-altitude region.
Making a statement in Lok Sabha, Rajnath said he would not hesitate to share that India is facing a challenge in Ladakh but at the same time added that the House should have full confidence that the armed forces will always rise to the challenge and make the country proud.
“I will not hesitate to share with this august House that we are facing a challenge in Ladakh and I urge the House to pass a resolution in support of our armed forces who have been defending our motherland at great heights and most inclement weather conditions,” Rajnath said.