The paper industry is de-licensed. The production of pulp, paper and newsprint during last three years is as under:-

 (In million tons)

Year	Production
2014-15	17.03
2015-16	17.33
2016-17	17.4*

Source: Production and Capacity figures : CPPRI.

*Estimated production.

The following steps have been taken by the Government for promotion and development of paper industry:-

i.   Development Council for Pulp, Paper & Allied Industries (DCPPAI) has been re-constituted.

ii.  Central Pulp & Paper Research Institute (CPPRI) is an autonomous body under administrative control of Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion to       promote R&D in the field of Pulp & Paper.

This information was given by the Commerce and Industry Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

De-licensing of paper industry: government supports sector via reconstituted development council and autonomous research institute. De-licensing of the paper industry is identified as the sector's regulatory status and the government reported production figures for recent years. Government action comprises reconstitution of the Development Council for Pulp, Paper & Allied Industries and designation of the Central Pulp & Paper Research Institute as an autonomous body under the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion to promote R&D.