Page 47 - ELT_15th August 2020_Vol 373_Part 4

2020 ] TIT-BITS A123

In the case of ventilators, there were shortages earlier and now the focus
would be more on creating manufacturing capacities and exporting them, stated
the release.
The DGFT also stressed the need to develop an electronic component
sector in order to build strong backward and forward linkages. According to
him, continuous consultations have been held with the industry and other stake-
holders to understand the “pain points and to ensure forward and backward
integration in the electronics and hardware sector”.
[Source : The Indian Express, New Delhi, dated 6-8-2020]

Colour TV imports back in restricted category — Move to
boost local manufacturing
India on 30-8-2020 imposed restrictions on the import of colour televi-
sion sets, bringing back curbs it had lifted almost two decades ago, in a measure
to encourage domestic production.
Imports of TVs in certain categories will now require a licence from the
Government. “Import policy of colour television sets... is amended from ‘free’ to
‘restricted’,” the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notifica-
tion, adding that it would separately issue the procedure for the grant of licence.
The curbs are applicable to TV sets included in the ‘other colour’ catego-
ry that covers LCD TVs among the goods. There is no restriction on monochrome
TVs. The total imports under the restricted category in fiscal 2020 were $ 781
million. Of these, Vietnam and China accounted for $ 428.37 million and $ 292.48
million, respectively.
India has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the ASEAN bloc that
includes Vietnam. Electronics goods from China are suspected to be routed to
India through the Southeast Asian country. Industry executives said the move
would help stop indiscriminate import of TV sets from China and other countries
like Thailand and Malaysia through the FTA route. India had relaxed quantita-
tive restrictions on the import of 1,429 items including TV sets in 2000 and 2001.
Some brands may get impacted
At present, around 35% of TV sets sold in the country are imported.
The Directorate said the actual user condition would not be applicable to
importers seeking authorisation to import the restricted goods. Actual user (in-
dustrial) refers to a person who utilises the imported goods for manufacturing in
his own industrial unit or for his own use in another unit.
Last month, the DGFT restricted the import of certain new pneumatic
tyres used in cars, motorcycles, bicycles, buses and trucks in a move to promote
domestic manufacturing and check dumping of retreated and cheap tyres from
China.
TVs are some of the non-essential goods whose imports India wants to
cut down to boost domestic manufacturing. Sports goods, toys and plastic goods
are some other categories that are likely to face import restrictions.
The Chairman of homegrown contract manufacturer Dixon Technolo-

EXCISE LAW TIMES  15th August 2020  47