Page 54 - ELT_15th July 2020_Vol 373_Part 2

China Companies’ imports may stay stuck
Selective imports approval is being granted, with the latest given to Korea’s
Samsung
Chinese companies in India could continue to face the heat as the Gov-
ernment considers granting easier import approvals for non-Chinese companies
in India, top officials said. “We are monitoring the situation and this could last a
few more days,” a Senior Government Official told ET, even as India enters sev-
enth day of imports from China being stranded at the ports owing to a nation-
wide alert.
However, according to sources, the thinking in the Government is that
Chinese companies continue to be subjected to 100% manual checks even when
the alert subsides. For instance, Taiwanese smartphone maker Foxconn, which
runs two plants in India under different units, has not been able to get clearances
for consignments to the factory that manufactures for China’s Xiaomi.
“There were discussions on whether to permit Authorised Economic
Operators as the industry had made this proposal but it has how shifted to
whether all imports, barring ones for Chinese companies, should be permitted,”
another person familiar with the discussions told ET.
Meanwhile, selective approvals are being granted to industry with the
latest nod being to Korea’s Samsung, within hours of meetings at the highest
levels in the Government on 27-6-2020 evening. This follows a handful American
companies being given Customs clearances late last week. “Right now, the clear-
ances are happening on a case by case basis,” the official said.
“We are aware of the ground situation and are finding mechanism to
ease the pain,” a second Government Official said.
After a series of discussions with the Government, Trade Associations
have taken a softer stance towards the move stalling Chinese imports. “We are in
regular communication with the Government and have been assured that all
measures are being taken in national interest and the industry will not suffer,”
said Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman of India Cellular and Electronic Association.
[Source : The Economic Times, New Delhi, dated 29-6-2020]
99% businesses in India now in MSME category
A change in definition of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)

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EXCISE LAW TIMES  15th July 2020  54