Ban on Export of Monazite
Government has not imposed a ban on the export of Monazite from the country. Reports have appeared in certain sections of the press suggesting illegal exports of monazite. Monazite is a prescribed substance under the Atomic Energy Act 1962. Since Monazite is a 'prescribed substance', the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, as a policy, has restricted all activities in respect of this substance to Government entities only. Indian Rare Earths Ltd. (IREL), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy, is the only organisation that has been permitted till date to export monazite. The Department has not permitted any other individual or company or entity to export monazite. The Department has initiated steps to put in place comprehensive systems to check any such exports, through appropriate pre-export regulatory checks, and radiation monitoring mechanism at Ports.
Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Prim Minister’s Office Shri V.Narayansamy gave this information in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha today.
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