KVIC may get status of Export Promotion Council

New Delhi, Apr 23 (UNI) Awaiting its reorganisation for a long time, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) may get a new role of Export Promotion Council (EPC) if the Ministry of Small Scale and Rural Agro Industries succeeds in making round the Commerce and Industry Ministry on its proposal.

Small Scale Industries Department Secretary Anupam Dasgupta said Commerce Ministry has asked for certain information and clarification which they are submitting. The Department seeks that KVIC should be given the status of EPC and exports of this sector be routed through it.

For availing benefits of Duty Entitlement Pass Book (DEPB), duty drawback and escape from the burden of number of taxes, exporters have to register themselves with their respective EPCs.

In the recently announced trade policy 2006-07, Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath had declared that rural industry products have also been included in the Vishesh Krishi Upaj Yojana and the same has been renamed as Vishesh Krishi Upaj and Gramodyog Yojana.

The annual export of KVIC products is estimated at over Rs 100 crore, Mr Dasgupta said.

The Commerce Secretary said that the Ministry was thinking to extend benefits to more and more products from KVIC and after discussions with SSI and Agro Rural Industries KVIC products would be notified for the benefit of the new scheme.

After the UPA government took over, KVIC Director Mahesh Sharma was removed from his post and the Commission was dissolved. A new KVIC Act is in place, but its formation is still awaited.

Currently, around 25 EPCs, Commodity Boards and other organisations working for the increase in exports from the country are accredited by the Commerce Ministry. At least, eight of the EPCs are working under the Textiles Ministry.

An official of the Federation of Indian Exporters Organisation (FIEO) said that his organisation will welcome if the status of EPC is accorded to KVIC.

FIEO official pointed out that after attaining the status of EPC, the exporters will be able to claim their benefits through KVIC which other exporters are enjoying.

UNI BBS MP KN1215