Steps to Improve Salt Industry

The total production of salt in India during 2011-12 was 221.79 lakh ton.  Of this 62 lakh ton of salt were iodized.  The State-wise production of common salt and iodized salt in the country during 2011-12 are Annexed. 

The cost price of salt varies from State to State depending upon various factors including cost of labour and electricity, density of brine used for production of salt, etc.  The Office of the Salt Commissioner was maintaining ex-factory price of salt ranging from Rs. 0.40 (forty paise) per kg. to Rs. 1.80 per kg. during 2011-12, depending upon the variety, quality and place of production as indicated by the salt producers.

The market selling price of iodized salt ranges from Rs. 4.00 – Rs. 14.00 per kg depending upon the variety, quality and packing material used.

The estimated average annual production of salt in the world is about 260 million ton (2600 lakh  ton).  During 2011-12, India produced 221.79 lakh ton of salt which was 8.53 percent of the estimated annual production of salt in the world.

The Ministry monitors the overall development of salt industry, through the Salt Commissioner’s Office (SCO), including planning, facilitating production of salt through technology upgradationand conducting training programmes for salt workers.  SCO, in collaboration with the State Governments, has established Model Salt Farms in Rajasthan and Odisha, and sanctioned the third Model Salt Farm in Tamil Nadu recently.  Besides, this, the Central Governments grants financial assistance to supplement the efforts of the State Governments, salt industry and manufacturers in conducting welfare activities for salt workers.

Annexure

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4345 FOR ANSWER ON 16-05-2012 REGARDING PRODUCTION OF IODIZED EDIBLE SALT.

STATE-WISE PRODUCTION OF COMMON SALT IN THE COUNTRY

(Figure in lakh ton)

S. No.	State	2011-12
1.	Andhra Pradesh	3.05
2.	Goa	0.02
3.	Gujarat	170.19
4.	Karnataka	0.13
5.	Maharashtra	1.55
6.	Odisha	0.10
7.	Rajasthan	21.89
8.	Tamil Nadu	24.77
9.	West Bengal	0.09
	Total	221.79

STATE-WISE PRODUCTION OF IODIZED SALT IN THE COUNTRY

S.No.	State	2011-12
1.	Assam	0.07
2.	Gujarat	39.63
3.	Jammu & Kashmir	0.06
4.	Karnataka	0.07
5.	Odisha	0.07
6.	Rajasthan	11.41
7.	Tamil Nadu	10.46
8.	Tripura	0.08
9.	West Bengal	0.15
	Total	62.00

This information was given by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia  in a written reply in the Rajya  Sabha today.