Cannot impose blanket ban on Chinese products: Sitharaman

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said there is no provision to enforce blanket ban on all Chinese products.

Sitharman's comment came in response to several politicians, including Janata Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav, Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij, making an appeal for boycotting "Made in China" goods.

"Whatever is the reason, but we don't have any policy or instrument to stop imports. We cannot stop imports from a country for any reason, it is not possible," Sitharaman said.

Sitharaman further said that anti-dumping policy can be imposed on particular products but imposing complete ban is impossible.

"If any industry lobby or consumer lobby approaches us with information and facts, citing standards issue or if they have definitive proof of any products which contains any hazardous material, only then we can impose the ban," she said.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had earlier said that India cannot put a ban on imports of Chinese products but individuals can decide not to buy the same.

"But, as a country, we can't put a ban on imports of Chinese products as we are part of the World Trade Organisation. However, not to buy Chinese products can be taken at individual level," he said at an event in Mumbai.