<p>"The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is preparing a note for inter-ministerial consultations on the issue," a senior official said.<br /><br />Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma had said in Chennai last week that there was no justification for the government to allow FDI in the tobacco sector.<br /><br />"Why should we have FDI in tobacco? There is a ban on smoking in public places. We are a responsible country," Sharma had said.<br /><br />Health Ministry was also in favour of the move, sources said.At present, there is a no clarity on the FDI in the tobacco sector.<br /><br />India, a signatory to the World Health Organisation- sponsored Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, is committed to bring down tobacco cultivation and consumption in the country.</p>
<p>"The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is preparing a note for inter-ministerial consultations on the issue," a senior official said.<br /><br />Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma had said in Chennai last week that there was no justification for the government to allow FDI in the tobacco sector.<br /><br />"Why should we have FDI in tobacco? There is a ban on smoking in public places. We are a responsible country," Sharma had said.<br /><br />Health Ministry was also in favour of the move, sources said.At present, there is a no clarity on the FDI in the tobacco sector.<br /><br />India, a signatory to the World Health Organisation- sponsored Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, is committed to bring down tobacco cultivation and consumption in the country.</p>