Introduction: The Government of India, through the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has issued an Office Memorandum (O.M.) dated 16th February 2024, addressing the expansion of the RoDTEP Scheme to Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Oriented Units (EOUs). This article provides an in-depth analysis of the memo, examining its contents and the potential impact on trade entities.
Detailed Analysis:
The O.M. dated 16th February 2024 refers to a previous communication from 3rd August 2023 and a subsequent one received from the Export Promotion Council for EOUs & SEZs (EPCES) on 5th February 2024. The memo suggests the initial coverage of EOUs under the RoDTEP scheme, considering their availability on ICEGATE similar to DTA units.
The article dives into the progress of the installation of hardware required for the ICEGATE system, mentioning completion in MEPZ SEZ and other zones. The Development Commissioners have been urged to finalize installations. The potential extension of the RoDTEP scheme to SEZs is discussed, and SEZ Online is encouraged to make provisions for the RoDTEP scheme.
The communication from EPCES, forwarded in the memo, highlights concerns regarding SEZs’ inclusion in the RoDTEP scheme. The article examines the apprehensions raised, including the readiness of NSDL with functionality for implementing RoDTEP for SEZs on SEZ Online. The challenges and potential transaction costs for SEZ units are scrutinized.
The memo concludes with the approval of the Competent Authority, undersigned by Sumit Kumar Sachan, Under Secretary to the Government of India. The communication chain, including emails and attachments, is explored to provide a comprehensive understanding of the discussions and considerations.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the article emphasizes the Government’s proactive approach in addressing the concerns raised by EPCES and its commitment to expanding the RoDTEP Scheme to cover SEZs and EOUs. The potential benefits, challenges, and the ongoing efforts to streamline the process are highlighted. The article concludes with an outlook on the significance of this expansion for the trade community and the broader economic landscape.
This comprehensive analysis aims to provide stakeholders, policymakers, and businesses with valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of the RoDTEP Scheme and its potential impact on SEZs and EOUs in India.
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K.43022/35/2019-SEZ
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department of Commerce
(SEZ Section)
Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated: 16th February, 2024
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: – Covering SEZs and EOUs under the RoDTEP Scheme —reg.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this department’s O.M of even no. dated 03.08.2023 (copy enclosed) on the above mentioned subject and to forward herewith a copy of communication dated 05.02.2024 (copy enclosed) received from EPCES on the subject mentioned above with a request to initially cover EOUs under the RoDTEP scheme as they are available on the ICEGATE like DTA units.
2. Moreover, the installation of hardware required to roll out ICEGATE system is already completed in MEPZ SEZ and in some other zones also. Further, Development Commissioners of all the zones have already been requested to complete installation of required hardware. Post rolling out of ICEGATE in SEZs, RoDTEP scheme may also be extended to SEZs. Meanwhile, SEZ Online may also make provisions for RoDTEP scheme, as communicated earlier vide this department’s O.M of even no. dated 03.08.2023
4. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
(Sumit Kumar Sachan)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Tel: 011-23039829
Email: – sumit.sachan@nic.in
To
The Director General
Director General of Foreign Trade
Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
Copy to:
i) Directorate General of Systems & Data Management (ICEGATE)
1st Floor, CR Building, IP Estate New Delhi — 110095
E-mail: icegatehelpdesk@icegate.gov.in
ii) DG, EPCES
K.43022/35/2019-SEZ
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department of Commerce
(SEZ Section)
Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated the 3rd August, 2023
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: – Covering SEZs and EOUs under the RoDTEP Scheme -reg.
The undersigned is directed to forward herewith a copy of communication dated 31st July, 2023 (copy enclosed) received from EPCES on the subject mentioned above with request that the request may kindly be examined and be considered favourably.
2. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
Sumit Kumar Sachan)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Tel: 011-23039829
Email: – sumitkumar.sachan@nic.in
To
The Director General
Director General of Foreign Trade
Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi
EPZ EPZ
Fwd: Covering SEZs and EOUs under the RoDTEP Scheme
From : EPZ EPZ <moc_epz@nic.in>
Subject : Fwd: Covering SEZs and EOUs under the RoDTEP Scheme
To : Sumit Harish Dolwani <sumit.dolwani@govcontractor.in>
Mon, Feb 12, 2024 11:10 AM
1 attachment
From: “Sumit Sachan” <sumit.sachan@gov.in>
To: “EPZ EPZ” <moc_epz@nic.in>
Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2024 9:16:38 AM
Subject: Fwd: Covering SEZs and EOUs under the RoDTEP Scheme
From: “Senthil Nathan S” <senthil.nathan@gov.in>
To: “Sumit Sachan” <sumit.sachan@nic.in>, “ASHISH PRAKASH SINHA”
<ashishprakash.sinha@nic.in>
Sent: Monday, February 5, 2024 9:20:06 PM
Subject: Fwd: Covering SEZs and EOUs under the RoDTEP Scheme
Regards,
Senthil Nathan S, IRS
Director
Department of Commerce
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Government of India
Vanijya Bhawan,
New Delhi-110001
From: dg@epces.in
To: “Commerce Secretary Office” <csoffice@nic.in>, “L Satya Srinivas” <as.Iss-doc@gov.in>,
“DGFT” <dgft@nic.in>, “Vipul Bansal” <vipul.bansal@nic.in>
Cc: ddg@epces.in, “Senthil Nathan S” <senthil.nathan@gov.in>, “Sumit Sachan”
<sumit.sachan@nic.in>, “Anil Aggarwal” <aaggarwal@nic.in>, vijayg@nsdl.com
Sent: Monday, February 5, 2024 5:31:59 PM
Subject: Re: Covering SEZs and EOUs under the RoDTEP Scheme
Dear Sir
This is with reference to the email below dated 31.7.2023 regarding covering SEZs and EOUs under the RoDTEP scheme.
Apprehensions have been raised that since SEZs are not on ICEGATE, it may be difficult to cover exports from SEZs under RoD ER
In this regard, it is requested that EOUs which are on ICEGATE like DTA units may be covered under the RoDTEP scheme at the earliest. There should not be any difficulty in this.
As regards SEZs, NSDL is perhaps ready with the functionality for implementing RoDTEP for SEZs on SEZ Online. That can be examined. Even otherwise, ICEGATE was to be implemented on SEZs and a pilot was run on GIFT City SEZ (through GIFT City is primarily meant for services for which ICEGATE is not relevant), it can be expedited. However, SEZ units have raised concerns that they will have to keep working on both systems – SEZ Online as well as ICEGATE as
1. ICEGATE will, initially, implement modules dealing with physical imports and export of goods from abroad only. Modules dealing with DTA transactions /zone to zone transfers will not be available and for that SEZ Online will have to be used till those modules are developed by DG Systems.
2. Even when DTA modules are developed on ICEGATE for SEZ, SEZ units will have to use SEZ Online for services as well as other Development Commissioner related administrative and reporting work which has been implemented by NSDL on SEZ Online.
3. It is not clear whether SEZ units will have to pay any transaction charges for using ICEGATE.
4. Will SEZ units be able to directly use ICEGATE or they will have to use some other software for filing shipping bills / bills of entry.
SEZ units will be happy if they have to use only one system for their transactions , as otherwise, it will increase their transaction cost (employee and training).
It is requested that an early decision may be taken to cover EOUs under the RODTEP Scheme. For covering SEZs too, a mechanism may be finalised (either with NSDL/SEZ Online or with ICEGATE) at the earliest.
With regards,
(Alok Chaturvedi)
Export Promotion Council for EOUs & SEZs
Alok V Chaturvedi, IAS(Retd)
Director General,
Export Promotion Council for EOUs and SEZs,
A101, 10th Floor Himalaya House 23, KG Marg, New Delhi, Delhi 110001
Mobile +91 8130525959 I Tel: +91 11 23329770
website : https://www.epces.in/
twitter : @dgepces (https://twitter.comidgepces)
Export Promotion Council for EOUs (Export Oriented Units) and SEZs (Special Economic Zones) (EPCES) is a multi-product Export Promotion Council set up by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, representing the interests of SEZ units, SEZ developers and Export Oriented Units. It has more than 5700 members with 4400 SEZ units, 370 SEZ developers and 930 EOUs. In FY 2022-23, total exports of goods and services from EOUs and SEZs were recorded at US $ 173.88 billion which is about 22.4 % of India’s total exports of goods and services at US $ 776.51 billion.
From : Sumit Sachan <sumit.sachan@gov.in>
Subject : Fwd: Covering SEZs and EOUs under the RoDTEP Scheme
To : EPZ EPZ <moc_epz©nic.in>
Sun, Feb 11, 2024 09:18 AM
1 attachment
