Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the State Finance and Planning Minister, Ajit Pawar, has written a letter to the Central Government demanding immediate action to stop the illegal import of substandard raisins from China.
He emphasised that such imports are adversely affecting grape-growing farmers in India and causing considerable foreign exchange and revenue losses.
Ajit Pawar wrote to Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to express concerns. He highlighted the growing problem of poor-quality raisins being smuggled into India from China, evading import duties and taxes.
This tax evasion is causing significant loss to government revenue, and the influx of cheap, substandard raisins during the peak season has led to a drastic drop in prices of domestically produced raisins by nearly ₹100 to ₹125 per kilogram. As a result, grape farmers are facing major financial distress.
Pawar has urged the Centre to take urgent corrective measures. He has called for strict action to halt the illegal import and sale of these raisins. He also recommended strengthening quality checks and tax collection mechanisms at ports, airports, and marketplaces to ensure proper inspection and compliance.
In his letter, Pawar further requested the government to take steps to stabilise raisin prices during the peak season and protect farmers from further losses. The Maharashtra State Grape Growers’ Association, Pune, had recently met the Deputy CM to raise the issue, following which he has formally written to the Centre urging swift resolution.
