**Executive Summary:**
This notification, dated March 27, 2014, addresses the export of river sand to the Republic of Maldives under a Bilateral Trade Agreement. It amends the Foreign Trade Policy 2009-2014 by substituting Export Licensing Note 2, outlining quantity ceilings and necessary clearances for river sand exports. CAPEXIL is responsible for monitoring the ceiling and providing quarterly reports to the DGFT.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Amendment:** Substitutes Export Licensing Note 2 in Chapter 25 of Schedule 2 of ITCHS Classification of Export-Import Items.
* **Export Permission:** Allows river sand export to the Maldives within specified annual quantity ceilings.
* **Quantity Ceilings (in MTs):**
* 2014-15: 2 lakh
* 2015-16: 2.5 lakh
* 2016-17: 3 lakh
* **CAPEXIL Responsibilities:**
* Issue No Objection within the annual ceiling.
* Monitor the ceiling.
* Send quarterly reports to the Export Cell in DGFT.
* **Conditions for Export:**
* Suppliers/extractors must obtain appropriate clearances.
* Mining should not occur in prohibited Coastal Regulation Zone areas.
* Exporters must obtain necessary environmental clearances/No Objection Certificates from designated state government nodal authorities.
* Subject to any State legislation/judicial orders related to mining of River Sand.
**Impact Analysis**
* **CAPEXIL**
* *Impact:* Responsible for issuing No Objections within the annual ceiling, monitoring the ceiling, and reporting to DGFT.
* *Action Required:* Ensure suppliers/extractors have clearances, monitor ceiling, send quarterly reports to DGFT, and ensure sand extraction is not undertaken in the Coastal Regulation Zone Area.
* **Exporters of River Sand**
* *Impact:* Can export river sand to the Maldives subject to quantity ceilings and obtaining necessary clearances.
* *Action Required:* Obtain environmental clearances/No Objection Certificates from state governments and comply with state legislation/judicial orders related to river sand mining.
* **State Government Nodal Authorities**
* *Impact:* Responsible for providing environmental clearances/No Objection Certificates for river sand exports.
* *Action Required:* Process and issue environmental clearances/No Objection Certificates for river sand exports.
* **Suppliers/Extractors of River Sand**
* *Impact:* Subject to CAPEXIL's checks regarding appropriate clearances and mining practices.
* *Action Required:* Obtain all appropriate clearances and ensure mining does not occur in prohibited areas.
* **Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)**
* *Impact:* Receives quarterly reports from CAPEXIL on the export of river sand.
* *Action Required:* Monitor the export of river sand based on reports from CAPEXIL.
Key Entities Referenced
Maldives: Island nation in the Indian Ocean, and the destination for river sand exports under the Bilateral Trade Agreement.
Foreign Trade Development Regulation Act, 1992: Indian law that provides the central government power to regulate foreign trade.
Foreign Trade Policy, 2009-2014: The prevailing foreign trade policy at the time of the notification, providing the framework for export-import regulations.
Central Government: The governing authority responsible for issuing the notification and regulating export policy.
ITCHS Classification of Export Import Items: Nomenclature used for classifying items in export and import trade, specifically Schedule 2 Chapter 25.
CAPEXIL: The Chemicals and Allied Products Export Promotion Council of India, responsible for monitoring the export ceiling of river sand and ensuring compliance.
Director General of Foreign Trade: The head of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, the government agency responsible for implementing and regulating foreign trade policy.
Coastal Regulation Zone: An area where mining activity is restricted by law