Achievements As A Parliamentarian

SMOKING BAN IN THE PARLIAMENT
Mr. Naveen Jindal as a young Parliamentarian took yet another initiative to ensure that the smoking ban is implemented in one of the most hallowed institutions of the country ­ The Parliament. His plea for enforcement of smoking ban in Parliament finally came into force in July, 2004."

TO GET INDIAN CURRENCY ACCEPTED AT DUTY FREE SHOPS IN THE COUNTRY
Naveen Jindal's successful efforts to get Indian currency accepted at duty free shops in the country

After ascertaining that all Indians can fly the national flag with pride in their residences or workplaces, Naveen Jindal has been on the trail to make sure that Indians can buy duty free goods with Indian currency at duty shops at international airports in India. What is at stake here is India's belief in herself, and our faith in our currency, within the parameters of our own country. Mr Jindal's proverbial tenacity has paid off yet again! With the help and support of the current Minister for Tourism and Culture, Ms Renuka Chowdhary, and Union Finance Minister, Mr P Chidambaram, Mr Jindal has achieved another milestone.

On 21st August 2002, Naveen Jindal wrote a letter to then Minister of Tourism and Culture, Shri Jagmohan, articulating his concerns about Indian currency not being accepted within India at ITDC run duty free shops, even though, under FEMA rules, an Indian resident was allowed to carry up to Rs. 5000/- while travelling abroad. Expressing his concern about the wrong signals it was sending to both Indians and foreign tourists about how Indian currency was not accepted in India.

The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), part of the Ministry of Tourism, forwarded Naveen Jindal's request to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), for its views. Subsequently, Mr. Jindal received a letter from ITDC on the 24th October, 2002, enclosing the RBI's reply dated 7th October, 2002, wherein it was made clear that once a traveller had checked through immigration and customs, Indian currency was not acceptable for duty free purchases. On receiving this letter, Mr. Jindal immediately got in touch with concerned RBI officials to resolve the issue.

Unfazed, Mr Jindal pursued this case with his characteristic ardour, because issues of national pride, self esteem, and India's image in the world, have always been uppermost in his mind. In the course of this saga, the BJP government at the centre was replaced by the UPA government, and the Tourism portfolio was allotted to Ms Renuka Chowdhary. Not losing any time, Naveen Jindal wrote a letter to Ms. Renuka Chowdhary on the 1st June, 2004. The minister informed Mr. Jindal that the RBI had once again expressed its inability to accept Indian currency at duty free shops. At this point, Mr. Jindal decided to take up the matter personally with the Tourism Minister. The Minister understood his position better and decided to involve the Finance Ministry to resolve the matter, and also advised Mr. Jindal to take it up separately with the Finance Ministry. He wrote immediately to the Finance Minister, Mr. P. Chidambaram, and, after a while, made a renewed request to the minister on 16th February, 2005, to expedite the matter. Seeing the merit in his arguments, the central government finally decided to make Indian currency acceptable at duty free shops at international airports in India.

This also benefits foreign tourists who are spared the expense of reconverting rupees to whichever foreign currency when they have to leave India. With this facility, they can use their leftover rupees to buy duty free goods on their way out from India.

Naveen Jindal has been on this case for three years, interacting with two successive governments. He is decidedly pleased with the September 26 2005 announcement from the Central Board of Excise and Customs, Ministry of Finance, about Indian currency being accepted at our duty free counters. One step for Naveen, a leap for India's self image and pan global image.