| PLAN
OF ACTION
TRAINING
PROGRAMS/WORKSHOPS ETC ||
FBMI NEWSLETTER ||
DIRECTORY OF MEMBERS ||
MEMBERSHIP ||
SPECIAL ALLOCATION OF WHEAT FOR BREAD INDUSTRY
||
MEDIA CAMPAIGN TO POPULARISE BISCUITS ||
EXPORT PROMOTION
& TECHNOLOGY UPGRADATION ||
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES ||
STANDING COMMITTEE
TRAINING PROGRAMS/WORKSHOPS ETC :
Training Program in Biscuit Manufacture,
the XIVth in the series organized by our Federation, was held
at Gurgaon from25-28March 2003. For highlights of topics of the
XIV training program together with technical papers please refer
to the link : “Technical Papers”
Besides this, FBMI has Propose to organize training programs /
workshops on HACCP / GMP jointly with AIBMI and SIB. The federation
has submitted an application for assistance to the Ministry of
Health, for organizing 4 days Training Program/Workshops (on Zonal
Basis) for the Executives as well as Supervisor,Technologist,Skilled
Workers in the Biscuit industry on HACCP/GMP/GHP. The formulation
of the training manual copies & selection of faculty etc is
being finalized. The first programmed is proposed to be held in
New Delhi in December 2003.
FBMI
NEWSLETTER :
In order to disseminate relevant
and important information/legislation/amendments etc in food laws,
other Govt notifications on taxation, pollution control, industrial
relations, exports, besides other relevant information/data, sourced
through various newspapers, magazines, technical papers etc, the
Federation has decided to publish FBMI NEWSLETTER, a quarterly-journal
for December 2003 / January 2004.
PROFILE OF MEMBERS :
The List of Members of FBMI, which
is now printed in-house on computer, can be also printed in a
book-let form, containing Profile of Biscuit Industry, brief on
the activities and services by FBMI, list Executive Committee,
Past Presidents, etc, and with update information on all members
including phone/fax/eamail / website etc.
MEMBERSHIP
:
Presently, FBMI has membership strength
of 75 companies including 15 Associate members.
An analysis of the entire gamut of
the issues involved, indicate that the strengths and weaknesses
of a commodity organization, and for that matter, any Industry
organization like FBMI, are inter-linked with its members. The
quality of services rendered and result oriented activities undertaken,
their utility to the members in particular and the industry in
general, will in turn benifit the members, and help to achieve
growth and development of biscuit industry in India.
With the objective in view, the Zonal/State
Conveners and sub groups have been re- activated. An important
tool for dissemination of information, publicity of FBMI and its
member companies, including Associate-members, is to establish
FBMI’s Website on the Internet. While this will be beneficial
for FBMI and its members, investment requirements etc needs to
be considered.
SPECIAL
ALLOCATION OF WHEAT FOR BREAD INDUSTRY :
The Executive Committee of FBMI is
pursing representations in 2001 submitted for special allocation
of wheat at subsidized price for the bread industry of the Ministry
of foods, P D S, Government is burdened with huge stocks of wheat
more than 20% of which is damaged / wasted incurring heavy losses
running into lakhs of metric tonnes of wheat and on the other
hand, prices of maida have been regularly swinging upwards, eroding
the competitive capabilities of the Bread industry which is a
low profile and high volume process, presently able to utilize
only 40% of the installed capacities.
In the absence of favorable response
from the Ministry of Food & PDS, even as the Ministry of Agriculture
had forwarded our plea to them, our federation has sought support
on the issue from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries,
Government of India, which initiated action and took up the issue
with the Ministry of food and P D S. Shri A N P Sinha, Joint Secretary,
Ministry of Food Processing Industries convened a meeting on 19
May 2003 with FBMI, along with other Associations of Food Products
and allied areas, and discussed the following issues relating
to the mechanism / guidelines for making subsidized
allocation of wheat t our industry :-
- Reasons / justifications for special allocation
of food grains on reasonable concessional rate to various industries.
- Modalities / mechanism of implementing such suggestion
if accepted by Government viz mechnism.
- System of Monitoring.
- Any other related matter.
During discussions,
Shri A N P Sinha desired the FBMI to submit detailed scheme
justifying Special Allocation of wheat at subsidized prices and
highlight suggestions for formulating a mechanism / modalities
and scrutinize application from individual Bread units in the
country by FBMI, and recommend allotment of wheat on the basis
of compliance of certain parameters after ascertaining the genuineness
of the quantity of wheat applied for and ensure proper utilization.
FBMI has suggested that allotment can be screened by the federation
based on the production / sales pattern and consumption of wheat
/ maida for the last three years. FBMI has submitted our detailed
view points and specific suggestion on the mechanism and monitoring
to Shri A N P Sinha, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing
Industries, GOI seeking subsidized allocation of wheat to our
members preferably at the prices fixed for exporters of wheat
and wheat products.
The Ministry of Food Processing
Industries has taken up the matter with the Ministry of Food &
PDS with a view to evolving a comprehensive scheme. FBMI Delegates
meet Shri Sanjay Kaul, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food &
PDS. The Government has agreed in principle to make subsidized
Wheat to Biscuit to manufacturers for the purpose of exports of
Biscuits through FBMI. The Notification in this connection is
awaited.
MEDIA
CAMPAIGN TO POPULARISE BISCUITS :
In these times of stiff competition
and erosion in the competitive capacities of biscuit manufacturers,
specially on account of low profit margins and idle capacities
and consequent saturation/decline of annual growth in the industry
as also the meager per capita consumption of biscuits in the country
(around 1,8 kg), FBMI propose that effective and concerned action
need to be planned and implemented by organizing:-
Media Campaign to popularize Biscuit
as a nutritious health food for all sections and age-groups of
the Society, more particularly for the low income and lower middle
class consumers, children, as a comparatively cheap, hygienically
produced and packaged processed food, and that the biscuit industry
with annual turnover of Rs.3500 Crores, which provide employment
to millions of workforce directly and indirectly, and utilize
agri products i.e. principally wheat, of which millions of tonnes
are lost/damaged every year in the warehouses due lack of space,
age, rodents, pilferage etc.
EXPORT
PROMOTION & TECHNOLOGY UPGRADATION :
While taking concrete steps to increase
biscuit production and achieve better expansion of the domestic
consumer base. The fedreation feels, it is equally vital to enhance
exports of biscuit, particularly in semi-urban & rural areas
which is presently a low key activity.
With the objective it is proposed
that overseas markets potentials of biscuits be studied in depth
and as a first step in this direction the desirability of mounting
a trade delegation of members is being considered, particularly
in the exports to the neighbouring countries, middle-east, south
east Asia, Europe etc.
On the other hand, Biscuit units
in India, more so small scale and medium manufacturers, who have
the potential to graduate into large scale units, are however,
at a disadvantage due to obsolete technology/machinery, processing
system etc. In order assist such biscuit companies to acquaint
themselves with the latest technology, machineries etc, FBMI has
organized visits to important International Trade Fairs viz IBA
2003, ANUGA (in Germany) etc. Such combined visits under the auspices
of FBMI, will be cost effective and better organized. FBMI Delegations
obtained support and cooperation from the Ministry of Commerce
and Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassies concerned,
as also counter-part industry organizations/Chambers of Commerce.
Besides interactive sessions/workshops are being planed in various
regions of the country, jointly with CFTRI, AgricultureUuniversities,
IARI, Food Technologist’s organizations, Amercian Institute
of Baking, and other reputed International Institutes/organizations
on all aspects of quality, safety, hygene in manufacturing, processing,
baking, fortifications (with Vitamins, Minerals, Soyabean, Peas
Bran etc.), ingredients, emulsifiers, additives flavours, Food
Laws, etc.
OTHER IMPORTANT
ISSUES FBMI IS ACTIVELY PURSUING:
-
Finalization of Integrated Draft
Food Act harmonizing the plethora of existing multiple legislations
such as PFA, Standards of Weights & Measures, BIS, etc,
which is presently before the Cabinet Sub Committee.
-
Formulation of the draft Food
Processing Industry Policy, by effective follow up with the
Ministry of Food Processing Industries, with the objective of
achieving accelerated growth & development of our industry.
Similarly, applications of member Companies for financial assistance/grant,
pending with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries are
also being followed up for expeditious sanctions, enabling biscuit
manufacturers to undertake expansion / technology upgradation
and to set up new units.
STANDING COMMITTEE :
Standing Committee, consisting of
the President, Vice President and immediate Past Presidents, and
committee members has been constituted, with a view to take necessary
decisions in regard to organizational / administrative and policy
issues, to advise the Executive Committee on such matters and
implement decisions of the Executive Committee, and for that matter,
meet more frequently to monitor and guide the various activities
and services by FBMI, and to take necessary decisions in this
regard. The Standing Committee will ensure efficient functioning
of the Federation and improvements in the services rendered and
activities undertaken by FBMI.
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