New Delhi, Apr 6 (PTI) The government on Monday imposed export curbs on wood briquettes, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional firewood, with immediate effect, amidst the West Asia crisis.

Earlier, there was no restriction on the export of the wood product. Now, an exporter needs permission or a licence from the government for such shipments.

The government, on the other hand, eased export curbs on 'sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in logs, briquettes, pellets or similar forms'. Earlier exports of these goods were banned.

"The export policy of items.... is revised with immediate effect from 'prohibited' to 'restricted' and from 'free' to 'restricted', respectively. Accordingly, exports of these items shall be permitted only under a restricted export authorisation," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification.

The West Asia crisis has disrupted the movement of ships carrying oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns over cooking gas supplies and prompting people to rush to buy induction heaters and compatible utensils.

Last month, India temporarily reintroduced kerosene for household use and coal for hotels and restaurants, as the escalating West Asia crisis disrupted its energy supply lines from Gulf countries. Besides, it asked environmental bodies to permit the use of biomass, RDF pellets and coal as alternate fuel in the hospitality and restaurant segment for one month. PTI RR HVA

Export curbs on wood briquettes shift shipments to restricted authorisation amid West Asia supply concerns. Export policy on wood briquettes is revised from free export to restricted export authorisation, so shipments may now be made only with government permission or a licence. The policy also eases exports of sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in logs, briquettes, pellets or similar forms, from prohibited to restricted, with both categories now subject to restricted export authorisation.