Regarding problems being faced by the recycled Paper Mills in Andhra Pradesh due to increasing imports of low priced paper and paper boards-Laid

Regarding problems being faced by the recycled paper mills in Andhra Pradesh due to increasing imports of low priced paper and paper boards-Laid SHRIMATI DAGGUBATI PURANDESWARI (RAJAHMUNDRY): I wish to draw the attention of the Government to the serious crisis confronting recycled paper mills in Andhra Pradesh due to the sharp increase in low-priced paper and paperboard imports. These MSME units use waste paper as raw material, support recycling and provide substantial direct and indirect employment. According to DGCI&S data, India?s paper and paperboard imports increased from approximately 10.85 lakh tonnes in FY 2020?21 to 20.55 lakh tonnes in FY 2024?25, with the import value reaching about (cid:110) 14,629 crore. Imports from China and ASEAN countries have risen particularly sharply, placing domestic manufacturers under severe price pressure. The industry states that Andhra Pradesh has around 48 recycled paper mills, of which 20 have closed or become non-performing assets. The remaining mills are reportedly operating at only 60?65% capacity and are struggling to compete with low-priced imported paper. The closure of these units is affecting employment, waste-paper recycling and the industrial economy of the State, more particularly the Godavari region. I urge the Union Government to examine and review the impact of applicable duty concessions and provide targeted support to affected MSME recycled paper mills so as to ensure a level playing field and protect domestic employment & recycling capacity.