What do Havells, Sleepwell, Dabur India, Bajaj, VIP Industries, Cello India and Timex have in common? Well, for one thing they are all well known Indian brands, and secondly, many of their products were briefly banned across paramilitary canteens in India for being 'videshi' products.
On Monday an order by the Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars (KPKB) sparked confusion and criticism, until eventually the order in question was withdrawn by the Centre. Responding to the Union Home Ministry which had said only Made in India products will be sold in all KPKB canteens, the organisation had put out a list of around 1,000 products that would no longer be sold at KPKB outlets. KPKB incidentally is the parent body that runs paramilitary canteens across India.
According to an ANI report, the contents of the list were determined after dividing all products into three categories. According to official communication by the Home Ministry based on the information submitted by the firms, this office has categorized all listed products in three categories Category 1 - Products Purely Made in India, Category 2 -Raw Materials Imported but Products Manufactured/Assembled in India, and Category 3 - Purely Imported Products. Products under the third category were to be delisted from Monday, while those with a mixed inventory would only be allowed to sell products that adhered to the first two categories. The parent body had also delisted those products belonging to companies which have not provided information to KPKB.
But it would seem that general knowledge, or indeed a simple search online was impossible for the body, and many Indian companies found themselves on the blacklist. Now it can be argued that these companies had neglected to provide the relevant information, but one then has to wonder why only some of their products were de-listed. It can also be said that only some of their products -- which might have been imported -- were on that list, but this too does not appear to be the case.
Eventually, the order was withdrawn by the MHA. The CRPF took to Twitter stating that the list issued by the Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar on May 29 had been "erroneously issued at the level of CEO".
"The list has been withdrawn and action is being initiated for the lapse," the post added.
