SALT INDUSTRY IN INDIA
India is the third largest Salt producing Country in the World after China and USA with
Global annual production being about 307 million tones. The growth and achievement of
Salt Industry over the last 75 years has been spectacular. When India attained
Independence in 1947, salt was being imported from the United Kingdom & Adens to meet
its domestic requirement. But today it has not only achieved self-sufficiency in production
of salt to meet its domestic requirement but also in a position of exporting surplus salt to
foreign countries. The production of salt during 1947 was 1.9 million tones which
has increased to record 39.11 million tones during 2022-23.
SOURCES OF SALT:
The main sources of salt in India are
· Sea brine
· Lake brine
· Sub-soil brine and
· Rock salt deposits
MAJOR SALT PRODUCING CENTERS:
Sea water is an inexhaustible source of salt. Salt production along the coast is limited by
weather and soil conditions. The major salt producing centres are
Marine Salt works along the coast of Gujarat (Jamnagar, Mithapur,Jhakhau, Chirai,
Bhavnagar, Rajula, Dahej, Gandhidham, Kandla, Maliya, Lavanpur), Tamil Nadu (Tuticorin,
Vedaranyam, Covelong), Andhra Pradesh (Chinnaganjam, Iskapalli, Krishnapatnam,
Kakinada & Naupada), Maharashtra(Bhandup, Bhayandar, Palghar), Orissa (Ganjam,
Sumadi) and West Bengal (Contai)
Inland Salt Works in Rajasthan using lake brine and sub-soil brine viz. Sambhar Lake,
Nawa, Rajas, Kuchhaman, Sujangarh and Phalodi
Salt works in Rann of Kutch using sub-soil brine viz: Kharaghoda, Dhrangadhra;
Santalpur
Rock Salt Deposits at Mandi in the State of Himachal Pradesh
PROFILE & STATUS OF SALT INDUSTRY
There are about 11453 salt manufacturers engaged in production of Common salt in an
extent of about 7.47 lakh acres in the Country. It is estimated that 87.9 per cent of the total
number of salt manufacturers are small salt producers (having an individual extent of less
than 10 acres for salt manufacture), 5.9% is large scale producers (having an individual
extent of more than 100 acres) and 6.26 % is medium scale producers (having an individual
extent between 10 and 100 acres)
Average Annual Production of Salt in India is 307 lakh tones whereas ever high
production of 391.13 lakh tones was recorded during 2022-23. Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and
Rajasthan are surplus Salt producing States accounting for about 98.8 per cent of the
Country’s production. Gujarat contributes 87.4 per cent to the total production, followed
by Tamil Nadu (4.7 %) and Rajasthan (6.7%). The rest 1.2% production comes from
Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Karnataka, West Bengal, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Diu
& Daman.
The average annual supplies of salt for human consumption is about 74 lakh
tonnes and that for industrial consumption is about 125 lakh tones; 65.4% of the salt for
human consumption moves by rail and 34.6 % by road. 66.41% of the salt for industrial
consumption moves by road, 24.72 % by rail and 8.87% by sea to various
industries. When the total indigenous supplies is taken, 54.57% moves by road, 39.86%
moves by rail and 5.57% by sea.
India exports surplus production of salt to the tune of about 91 lakh tonnes on an
average; During the year 2022-23, a record export of 122.2 lakh tonnes was achieved
primarily due to surge of demand from China. Other major countries importing salt from
India are Japan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, U.A.E., Vietnam, Quatar
etc.
Government of India has adopted the strategy of Universal Salt Iodisation and
Consumption for elimination of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) in the country under the
National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme(NIDDCP). Iodine is supplemented
in the diet through Iodised Salt for combating IDD. The Programme was started in 1962
initially confining to Goitre endemic areas but after 1984 it was implemented throughout the
country. Thus as on date a significant progress has been made on Universal Salt
Iodisation. The country produces about 76.43 lakh tones of Iodised salt and about 74.47
lakh tones of iodised salt is supplied for human consumption against the requirement of
about 62 lakh tones for entire population. The country has created more than adequate salt
iodisation capacity of over 218.5 lakh tones.
Salt Industry is labour intensive in the country. About 77086 labourers are
employed daily in the Salt Industry on an average. Salt Commissioner’s Organisation has
put in place a number of Labour Welfare Schemes ameliorating the working and living
conditions of salt labourers.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA’S ROLE IN DEVELOPMENT OF SALT INDUSTRY:
Salt is a Central subject in the Constitution of India and appears as item No.58 of the Union
List of the 7 th Schedule, which reads:
a) Manufacture, Supply and Distribution of Salt by Union Agencies; and
b) Regulation and control of manufacture, supply and distribution of salt by other
agencies.
Central Government is responsible for controlling all aspects of the Salt Industry. Salt
Commissioner’s Organisation, an attached Office under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry
(Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) ), Government of India,
is entrusted with the above task.
Government of India has delicensed Salt Industry by deleting provisions
relating to Salt in the Central Excise & Salt Act, 1944 vide Finance Bill of 1996-97. In line
with Government of India’s Policy of Liberalisation and simplification of Procedures, the Salt
Cess has been repealed. Vide finance Act.-2016 (No. 28 of 2016) w.e.f. 14-5-2016. Salt
Commissioner’s Organisation plays a facilitating role in overall growth and development of
Salt Industry in the country.
The thrust of the Salt Commissioner’s Organisation currently is on the following:
· Technological Development and Quality Improvement
· Salt Iodisation Programe for combating Iodine Deficiency Disorders
· Infrastructure Development promoting Salt Industry
· Labour Welfare Schemes for Salt Workers particularly housing under NAMAK
MAZDOOR AWAS YOJNA
· Export of Salt
