Of late there has been a nation-wide movement to boycott Chinese products especially during the festive seasons. Jammu too has seen some movement on this front with political outfits staging daily protest calling for boycott of Chinese made products. Even an elite club has decided not to use Chinese made lighting worth lakhs as part of Diwali decoration. It is welcome sign; at least such movements taken in right earnest can create an awareness of which majority of the population is yet to know. Today the Indian market is flooded with Chinese goods of wide range and price which has been the biggest allurement for the Indian consumer. Come festival like Diwali market is flooded with Chinese -made Indian gods and goddesses, fireworks, lighting and decoration pieces which are imported clandestinely. Government of India has not issued any import licence for such trade, which evades all taxes like central excise duties, sales tax and other levies draining the national exchequer. Chinese products do not contribute to nation building in terms of employment and revenue generation. The Indian fireworks manufacturing mainly concentrated in Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu and other parts of the country provides livelihood to more than 10 million people directly or indirectly. Boycotting such products which deprive people employment and livelihood is a welcome step. But what is needed is a concerted effort and campaigning against use of such clandestinely imported products which has eaten away the economic vitals of the country. Besides the economic deprivation these products have failed miserably on the safety standards whether it is mobile phone battery, fireworks, and various plastic products including the gods and goddesses used for Diwali Puja to bring prosperity and happiness. Boycotting Chinese products really can help India is the moot question as for the first time China is facing a slowdown from its 10 per cent growth. Is it because of Indian Boycott? Some may say so but the reality is different. So if boycotting Chinese products is not going to work, what will? To start with Modi should not hesitate any more in initiating those tough reforms that he spoke about during his election campaign last year to ward off Chinese impact on the economy.
