Shun Chinese goods, enact 'Buy Indian Act': RSS body to govt

An RSS-affiliate today suggested shunning of Chinese goods and called for passing of "Buy Indian Act" to give a boost to domestic production.

Citing the "Buy American Act of 1933" which requires the United States government to prefer US-made products in its purchases, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) demanded that the government enact a "Buy Indian Act" to push its 'Make in India', 'Start Up India' and 'Ease of doing business' programmes.

"Indian union and its states should emulate the US and give preference to indigenous goods in government procurement. India should enact the 'Buy Indian Act' on the lines of 'Buy American Act' in the Parliament," SJM's national co-convener Ashwani Mahajan told PTI.

He said a committee of secretaries has sent a recommendation in this regard to the Centre.

The RSS body has also initiated a campaign to create awareness on how Chinese goods adversely impacted domestic production and asked the government to have a relook at its trade policy.

Mahajan further emphasised that as per the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, if a government gives preference to indigenous products for its own consumption, it would not be treated as violation of WTO rules.

"But if a commercial entity is forced to give preference to indigenously produced goods for commercial use or sale, that would be considered a violation of WTO rules," he said.

The SJM official said the government should not be dependent on imports from China as the "domestic manufacturing is drying up, thus adversely impacting the job market."

The outfit had earlier campaigned aggressively against use of Chinese products, especially crackers and lights, and urged the people to buy Indian products.

The body has also been critical of NDA's policy of allowing increased FDI in pharma and defence sectors.