Swadeshi: Over 1000 products dropped from paramilitary canteens
New Delhi : More than 1000 imported products have been taken off the shelves in paramilitary canteens across the nation, in accordance to the push to 'Made in India' initiative. The dropping of products came after the government last month announced that paramilitary canteens will only sell indigenous or Indian products from June 1 in a bid to give fillip to domestic industries.
The major brands which have been taken off the shelves include, Nutella, Kinder Joy, Tic Tac, Horlicks Oats, Eureka Forbes, Tommy Hilfiger shirts and Adidas body sprays. Certain electronic brands have also been moved out from the canteen stores.
Seven firms importing products including Skechers, Ferrero, Red Bull, Victorinox, Safilo (Polaroid, Carrera) have also been de-listed.
The canteen administration has divided the products into three categories. Category 1 comprises products purely made in India. Category 2 includes products with imported raw materials but are manufactured or assembled in India. The third category consists of "purely imported products".
The move to sell only Made in India products was put in place after PM Narendra Modi last month announced mantras of "Aatma Nirbhar Bharat" or self-reliance and "vocal for local".
60 to 70 per cent of people who shopped at paramilitary canteens mostly bought only essential and basic items. "The canteens were mostly catering to lower and upper level of the constabulary. But this decision would have an impact on the rest 30 to 40 per cent," a senior officer said.
