Page 60 - ELT_1st August 2020_Vol 373_Part 3

A98 EXCISE LAW TIMES [ Vol. 373

DGTR for one more year of safeguard duty on solar cells
The Commerce Ministry’s Investigation Arm DGTR has recommended
imposition of Safeguard Duty on solar cells for one more year to protect domestic
manufacturers and discourage cheap imports.
In its probe, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has con-
cluded that after a decline in imports in 2018-19 due to the imposition of safe-
guard duty on “solar cells whether or not assembled in modules or panels”, im-
ports have increased during April-September, 2019 due to reduction in rate of
the duty from July 30, 2019.
[Source : The Indian Express, New Delhi, dated 20-7-2020]

India for Customs Duty on CAD Files for 3D Printing
India has proposed imposing Customs Duties on Computer-aided De-
sign, or CAD, files, which are necessary for 3D printing, while pitching its case
for countries to be able to Tax Electronic Transmissions.
Electronic transmissions are at present immune from taxation in the
World Trade Organization (WTO) under a Moratorium.
If the moratorium continues, India argued at the WTO, foreign firms will
be able to export any software duty-free to developing countries to 3D print
products that they currently manufacture.
This will lead to “disruption in traditional manufacturing, resulting in
job losses and decline in incomes” especially in textiles and clothing, footwear,
auto-components, toys, mechanical appliances and hand tools, it said.
India and South Africa have been arguing that the e-commerce mo-
ratorium, giving immunity to e-transmissions, has led to loss of Revenue and
had taken away policy space from Developing Countries. “An important policy
instrument available for this purpose would be to impose Customs Duties on
CAD files necessary for 3D printing,’’ India said at WTO’s General Council meet-
ing earlier this week.
[Source : The Economic Times, New Delhi, dated 18-7-2020]

Customs withholds transfer of officials probing Kerala
gold case
Eyebrows have been raised on the transfer of Customs Officials at a time
when they were probing the controversial gold smuggling case in Kerala. The
transfer was however later withheld.
The order included the transfer of six Superintendents and two Inspec-
tors attached to the Kochi unit of the Customs, who are presently probing the
case, to other units.
In the order, which is signed by Commissioner Mohammed Yousaf, a to-
tal of 42 officials from various units are being transferred. And, this includes the
key personnel presently probing the gold smuggling case.
Peeved by this sudden transfer, the issue was taken up with the higher
ups in Delhi, and though the order has not been cancelled, it has been withheld.

EXCISE LAW TIMES  1st August 2020  60