GST still have some teething troubles: EPCES

Top Stories

»	49% Indian startups now from tier 2, 3 cities: Jitendra Singh
»	'India ranks 3rd in global startup ecosystem & number of unicorns'
»	Tripura exported over 9K tonnes of pineapples in 2 years
»	CPI inflation eases to 6.71% in July, IIP falls to 12.3%
»	Rupee depreciates 12 paise to close at 79.64 against US dollar

Saurabh Gupta | 20 Nov, 2017
The apex Export Promotion Council for EOUs & SEZs (EPCES) has informed that GST is a welcome step but still there are some teething problems and practical procedural issues which needs to be addressed.

During an open house discussion on the issues of EOUs and SEZs in New Delhi on Saturday, Chairman EPCES, Rahul Guptainformed that introduction of GST is a welcome step but still there are some teething problems and practical procedural issues which needs to be addressed apart from other procedural issues relating to Foreign Trade Policy and SEZ Act & Rules.

He further informed that some major issues needs to be addressed urgently for smooth functioning of SEZs & EOUs.

There is an urgent need for issuance of clarification that though supply from DTA to SEZs is zero rated similarly supply from SEZ to SEZ, SEZ to Developer or Co-developer or supply from Developer to SEZ unit is also zero rated.

Chairman EPCES further requested the government about digital coordination between NSDL and GSTN, as this will reduce duplication of work and chances of mistakes will be less.

Hike in the services charges of NSDL and imposition of Rs 100 per transaction even if the value of the transaction is below Rs. 100. Though EOUs have been given exemption on IGST similarly supply from DTA to EOUs should also be zero rated like SEZs, He further requested to issue clarification regarding HSN related confusion in pre and post GST regime.

Chairman EPCES informed that though SEZ Scheme attracted an investment of Rs. 4.33 lakh crore, the exports of Rs. 5.24 crore is very less as compared to investment. If the above stated suggestions and suggestions in the agenda will considered favourable then this investment and export figure would be much more than the expectations.

The open house was attended by more than 200 participants from trade and industry including Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Serum Institute, Aurobindo Pharma, Replika, Phoenix Infocity, and trade industry associations.

The open house was Chaired by Sunil Kumar, Additional Secretary Commerce and attended by Sandeep Kumar, Commissioner Customs, CBEC, Dr. Prem Verma, Additional Director General (Export Promotion), Department of Revenue, Dr. L.B. Singhal, Development Commissioner Noida Special Economic Zone, T.V. Ravi, Director (EOU/SEZ) and other senior government officials from Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance, GST Network, NSDL etc.

T.V. Ravi, Director General EPCES and Director (EOU/SEZ), Ministry of Commerce & Industry informed that EPCES is organizing this type of information and updation programme across the country.

He further informed that government of India is keen to provide any type of assistance and guidance to the trade and industry.

Department of Revenue officials solved the exporter's issues with the help of the recent notifications issued by CBEC.

While concluding Sunil Kumar, Additional Secretary Commerce said that all the agenda issues will be examined and all the proactive steps will be taken to resolve the issues of EOUs and SEZs.

Vinay Sharma, Vice Chairman EPCES informed that EPCES is trying its level best to resolve the issues of EOUs and SEZs.

"We are here in the Council for any assistance and requested members to write to us on any issue or problem faced by them not only relating to GST but on FTP and SEZ Scheme also. We continue to organize these type of useful seminars across the country," he added.