It is quite true, and a statement was laid on the table of this house about these licences and an explanation was given. Even that explanation did not deny that somebody was responsible for it. We may say that it was the responsibility of the finance ministry or the commerce and industry ministry but the responsibility of the planning commission cannot entirely be disowned. Mr. Deputy Chairman, Sir, I thought that the explanation that I had given was a comprehensive explanation and that it will not lead to so much of discussion on the points that had already been clarified in my exposition, but hon. Members still raised some doubts about the measure. So, far as imports of goods are concerned. It is not possible for imports to take place in anticipation of getting an import licence. This measure, as the hon. Members sitting there pointed they have been exercising this discretion for years, and because the hon. Member sitting there has got some practical experience of how this discretion is exercised at the ports, he has said that this will mitigate the difficulties that are being undergone by the importers. And as I pointed out in my speech, Sir, when this discretion was stopped for the time being, all the traders and representatives of the trading sections met and expressed their acute difficulties in this regard that they were not able to move forward in regard to export or import, especially with regard to the export of tea. Perhaps you know, Sir, that for tea the licence can be sold and purchased in the market. If somebody has got an export licence and he has not been able to arrange the goods, he can sell this licence in the market and somebody else can purchase it. The time lag between the purchase and export of tea from here and the auctions abroad in always naturally short and sometimes it became very difficult to export in time because auctions take place abroad, and in that auctioneering period certain commitments are made and then the things have to be supplied in a difinite period. Now, in that period if a little licensee has not got the actual possession of the taking. Exercised At The Ports. I think that the time has come for government to release all persons unconditionally.
