PRIORITY
TO PROVIDE ENVIRONMENT FOR GROWTH OF INDUSTRY ON GLOBAL SCALE
PARLIAMENTARY
CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE OF TEXTILES MINISTRY MEETS
Monitoring of trade interests in
textiles and providing more and more positive trade environment
conductive to growth of industry on a global scale has assumed
top priority in the ministry of Textiles. Addressing the Parliamentary
Consultative Committee Meeting on Exports/Imports of Textiles
here today, Union Minister of Textiles Shri Kashiram Rana said
that the close monitoring and subsequent intervention by the Ministry
has yielded many benefits for the textiles exporters. Here are
a few to mention:-
- Import of duty free sample fabric within 3% limit
for trimmings and embellishments has been allowed. This would
give fillip to the garment exporter for undertaking production
of new items.
- Identically of the list of trimmings and embellishments
in the Handbook of Procedures and the list announced by the
Customs has been accepted by Ministry of Finance. DGFT has now
included items like zip fasteners, inlay cards, eyelets, rivets,
eyes, toggles Velcro tape, cord and cord stopper.
- Logging of the Duty Exemption Entitlement Certificate
Book by Customs has been abolished. The redemption of the Advance
Licence shall be done on the basis of Shipping Bills and Bank
Realisation Certificates only. This will remove administrative
hassles in the closing of licences.
- Extension in the period of realisation of export
proceeds from 180 days to 360 days shall enable the exporters
to concentrate on export orders.
- Penal interest rates for bonafide defaults has
been brought down from 24% to 15%. This will reduce the transaction
cost.
- The Ministry has made out a strong case for introduction
of DEPB rates for jute products; consequently, DGFT has announced
6% DEPB rate for Hessian cloth, Hessian made-up, Sacking cloth,
Sacking made-up and 2% DEPB rate for Jute Soil Saver and Jute
Yarn/Jute Twine.
- The quota distribution including EU’s exceptional
flexibilities are being managed in such a way so as to reduce
transaction costs and maximize exports.
Addressing the Members of the Committee
the Minister of State for Textiles, Shri Basanagouda R. Patil
said that the Government constantly endeavours to increase handloom
exports through various schemes and programmes. There is a need
to support extend the reach of these schemes. He also told that
a proposal for increase in import duties for raw silk is under
consideration.
Participating in the discussion,
Member of Rajya Sabha Shri C.O.Poulose raised the issue of distress
among handloom weavers and cooperatives as well as producers of
coir products due to decrease in off-take of these products. Lok
Sabha Member Shri A.P.Abdullakutty suggested that more Apparel
Parks should be set up in the State of Kerala. Shri Mohan Rawale
(Lok Sabha) gave various suggestions for the improvement of cotton
export from the State of Maharashtra.
