RS members concerned over hazardous incense sticks from China

Concern was expressed in Rajya Sabha today over import of alleged hazardous incense sticks from China and Vietnam, with a Congress member asking the government to ban the sale of such products in the country.
Raising the issue in a special mention, Hussain Dalwai (Cong) said millions of people were rendered unemployed on account of import of cheap and hazardous incense sticks from neighbouring China and Vietnam.
He alleged that the imports were being carried out flouting norms as the packets do not have details of the ingredients. He also claimed that the incense sticks contained harmful mosquito repellants which were hazardous not only for consumers but also for the workers making them.

Demanding immediate steps to protect the local industry and check rising imports, Dalwai said, "There is a need to ban sale of such products in the country." A number of members associated with the demand.
In another special mention, Vijay Jawaharlal Darda (Cong) asked the government to keep historic Hindu and Jain idols excavated near Akbar's fort in Fatehpur Sikri in a museum.
Md Nadimul Haque (AITC) expressed concern over lack of faculties in premier institutions like IITs and IIMs and urged the government to take concrete steps to appoint to qualified faculty there.

Mansukh Lal (BJP) said since there was a rise in cyber crime and even terrorists were using social media platforms, the government should provide latest technology to police and additional financial support to state governments to tackle such crimes.

Dola Sen (AITC) said the implementation of several schemes has been affected due to new funding pattern of the central government. The central funds for 26 schemes has come down, while it has stopped fully for eight schemes.
She asked the government to restore the previous funding pattern to ensure that developmental schemes are carried out smoothly at the state level.