• Investment World
• eWorld
• Catalyst
• Mentor
• Life
• Canvas
• Praxis
• Urban Pulse
• Brand Quest

Tunia Cherian George

MUMBAI, Feb. 18

THE express industry has sought a relaxation in the duty guidelines applicable to import samples handled by them. In its budget wish-list, the industry has sought a higher limit for the duty-free import of samples, up from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000.

The Chairman of the Express Industry Council of India (EICI), Mr Tushar Jani, told Business Line that a higher limit on the duty-free import of samples would be in line with the Government's stand on liberalising imports.

Similarly, the industry has sought a relaxation of the curbs on import of products such as plastic granules and chemicals, by express companies. Under the express board, the import of such products through courier services is banned because of the need for testing such products.

According to Mr Jani, the blanket ban on import of such products through couriers could be replaced by quantitative restrictions on such imports.

Mr Jani, who is also the Chairman of Blue Dart, said the requirement for on board couriers should be scrapped. India and Malta were the only countries persisting with this requirement. The industry was also looking to the introduction of VAT. According to the Senior Vice-President, Marketing & Projects, Blue Dart, Ms Tulsi N. Mirchandaney, "a move towards a uniform VAT regime would enhance the efficiency of distribution".

Ms Mirchandaney said that any measure that gave the economy a push would be positive for the industry as well. "Blue Dart would like to see a revival of the economy and a long-term plan for growth. Our business is a barometer of the economy, and business growth has a positive spin-off on demand, trade and distribution," she said.

Further, the industry had sought infrastructure status as distribution was vital to trade and industry, and entailed the support of high-cost assets such as aircraft and technology.

The industry was also impacted "by the rising costs of ATF over which we have no control. But, the high State levies fall under the purview of the Government. Reduction in these costs would benefit the customer," she said.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication

Stories in this Section
Hyderabad airport financial closure likely by fiscal-end

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu Business Line