RSS affiliate hails Commerce Ministry for ‘country of origin’ rule

New Delhi, June 23 (IANS) RSS affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch has hailed the decision by Ministry of Commerce and Industry to make it mandatory for sellers to provide and update information about ‘country of origin’ on Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.

This, the affiliate believes will not only help in promoting ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’, but help Indian buyers steer clear of Chinese products which many seem to buy unknowingly.

“It’s notable that under Rule 153(3) of General Financial Rules of Government of India, departments of the government are mandated to purchase only Make in India products. These rules were framed in 2017. Further the purchases through GeM by Government users have been authorised and made mandatory by Ministry of Finance by adding a new Rule No. 149 in the General Financial Rules, 2017, said the RSS affiliate in a statement.

However, due to the fact that sellers don’t mention the country of origin on the marketplace, the rules were not fully complied with, defeating the very purpose for which GFR, 2017. With new rules coming in, it will further the promotion of ‘Make in India’, the statement added.

The SJM claimed that with implementation of the new rules, government departments would be better informed, while making purchases, as well.

This decision comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong advocacy for self reliant India and a nation wide sentiment to boycott Chinese goods. Even in a RSS meeting held in Delhi on Monday, it was decided that the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP will spearhead a nationwide campaign to boycott Chinese products.

–IANS

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