THE duty entitlement pass book (DEPB) scheme will remain in force only up to June 30, 2011, said Dr Anup K. Pujari, Director-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), during an interactive session on Export Scenario and Foreign Trade Policy, organised by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (Fieo) recently.
Exports being a national priority, Dr Pujari suggested that exporters and government authorities should work hand in hand for the progress of the country. As regards any case referred to the Policy Relaxation Committee in his Department, he assured that it would now be cleared within 30 to 60 days.
Dr Pujari also expressed his desire to simplify issuance of EODC on Chartered Accountant Certificate basis, if such a certificate could provide details of exports on each authorisation, realisation of proceeds thereon, and other required details.
The DGFT stressed that all deemed export claims had been settled, and in case any pendency still existed, it should be brought to his notice.
Addressing the meeting, Mr Najib Shah, Joint Secretary (Drawback), urged exporters to fulfil the conditions attached to various benefits/concessions for availing of the same. Fixing all-industry rates of duty drawback required data from the trade and industry, but they were not being provided despite repeated requests. He added that his Department was also striving to minimise exporters’ difficulties and had initiated several measures to facilitate this.
Earlier, in his welcome address Mr J.K. Jain, Vice- President, Fieo, hailed the government’s decision to provide the best possible relief to exporters during difficult times.
He elucidated on the problems being faced by exporters, among them being EDI software not having provision to indicate "Declaration of Intent" on the shipping bills for claiming benefits under Chapter 3 of FTP, non-availability of SHIS benefits to status holders wanting to avail of TUF and zero duty EPCG benefits, and EDI shipping bills not being available online.
Mr Jain urged the authorities to look into the issues and ensure their quick redressal.
Source : Exim News Service - MUMBAI, April 12