PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) had a call on meeting with Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry on Monday, 14th March 2022 at 3:30 PM.
Senior Members delegation led by Mr. Pradeep Multani, President, PHDCCI interacted with Hon’ble Minister Shri Piyush Goyal to discuss the issues of trade and industry for the further growth and development of the country and enhanced ease of doing business for trade and industry.
PHD Chamber appreciated that the economic activity is on a steady path reflecting the noteworthy performance of key economic and business indicators reflects that the growth trajectory has been rejuvenated, said Mr. Pradeep Multani, President, PHDCCI.
Also, it is highly encouraging to note that India has achieved USD 336 billion (84%) of the ambitious target of 400 billion merchandise exports in the last ten months (April-January, 2021-22), said Mr. Pradeep Multani.
PHD Chamber submitted a report to Hon’ble Minister on ‘Achieving a Higher Exports Trajectory: 75 Potential Products and Markets’ that consists of 75 high potential export products according to their demand and competitiveness in various markets which will help to further enhance India’s export growth trajectory, said Mr. Pradeep Multani.
During the meeting pertinent issues were discussed related to FSSAI License and Drugs & Cosmetic Act; GST Issues, Decriminalisation in Ayush Sector, Biodiversity Amendment Bill 2021, monopoly of National Bio-diversity Authority / State Bio-diversity Boards, pain points of the Food Processing Industry and Direct Selling Industry and other issues such as rising prices of raw material and reducing compliance for doing business were discussed, said Mr. Pradeep Multani.
PHDCCI suggested that cultivated raw material is to be exempted from the ABS as it has no meaning in the absence of any contribution by the communities (neither knowledge nor biological resource), said Mr. Pradeep Multani.
PHD Chamber suggested that Normally Traded as Commodity (NTAC) list should consider outside the purview of the Biological Diversity Act (BDA) as mentioned under section 40 and no other interpretations are allowed under this, said Mr. Pradeep Multani.
Also, PHD Chamber suggested that FSSAI and Legal Metrology should share consolidated amendments so that industries have at least 3 years to exhaust existing supplies of printed packaging material, which have remained unused due to weak sales due to Covid-19, said Mr. Pradeep Multani.
In absence of any specific regulations, Direct Selling covers under existing General Law that leads to lack of clarity and definitional ambiguity, so PHD Chamber proposes to reinstate the definition of Network Sellers in the Direct Selling industry, said Mr. Pradeep Multani.
Also, PHD Chamber highlighted the issues in Rule 2(1)(d) of the Consumer Protection (Direct Selling) Rules 2021: which provides that “existing direct selling entities shall comply with the provisions of these rules within ninety days from the date of publication of these rules in the Official Gazette” as notified on 28-12-2021, the prescribed 90 days’ time limit is coming to an end on 28-03-2022. PHD Chamber suggested extending this time limit by an additional 90-days period, said Mr. Pradeep Multani.
PHDCCI raised a concern on rising prices of the raw material which has significantly increased during the last 2 years. This lead to significant rise in prices of Tinplate led to a consequential increase in prices of Tin Cans which are used by food processors. Thus, PHD Chamber suggested that on the raw materials for manufacturer, the applicable Basic Custom Duty (BCD) needs to be reduced by 50%, said Mr. Pradeep Multani.
Also, PHD Chamber requested to kindly expedite the full functioning of ICEGATE and Gateway EGM for RoDTEP Scrips, among others, in order to support the exporters and make them more competitive in the international market, said Mr. Pradeep Multani.
Hon’ble Minister had assured his full support to PHDCCI for enhancing growth trajectory of trade and industry as well as promoting Make in India and costs competitiveness for domestic manufacturers, said Mr. Pradeep Multani.
The PHDCCI delegation included Shri Pradeep Multani, President, PHDCCI, Shri Saket Dalmia, Senior Vice President, PHDCCI, Shri Sanjeev Aggarwal, Vice President, PHDCCI, Shri Vivek Katoch, Co-Chair, Direct Selling, PHDCCI, Shri Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General, PHDCCI, and Dr S P Sharma, Chief Economist |DSG, PHDCCI.
This article was shared with Prittle Prattle News as a Press Release.
