The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has issued Public Notice No. 17/2024 dated 14th August 2024, amending Para 10.06(III) of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023. The amendment updates the delegation of powers related to the approval of authorizations under the SCOMET (Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment, and Technologies) category when all concerned agencies have provided comments, views, or No Objection Certificates (NOCs) without divergence. Previously, authorizations in such cases were approved solely by the Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Working Group (IMWG). The revised procedure now allows the Chairman of the IMWG or any officer nominated by the Chairman or DGFT (not below the rank of Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade/Under Secretary) to approve the authorization. These cases will still require ex-post facto approval in the subsequent IMWG meeting. This amendment streamlines the process by expanding the delegation of authority, ensuring timely approval while maintaining oversight.
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(Department of Commerce)
(DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF FOREIGN TRADE)
Public Notice No. 17/2024-DGFT | Dated: 14th August, 2024
Subject:- Amendment in the Para 10.06 of Handbook of Procedure 2023- reg
F. No. 01/77/171/025/AM23/EC(S).—In exercise of the powers conferred under Paragraph 1.03 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 as amended from time to time, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) hereby makes the following amendment to Chapter 10 of Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023 with immediate effect:
| Existing text of Para 10.06(III) | Revised text of Para 10.06(III) |
| Inter Ministerial Working Group (IMWG)
III. Where a case has been deferred in the IMWG meeting and subsequently comments/views/NOC(s) are received from all concerned agencies with no divergence in views, authorisation shall be issued with the approval of Chairman, IMWG and the case shall be brought before IMWG in its subsequent meeting for approval on ex-post facto basis. |
Inter Ministerial Working Group (IMWG)
III. Where a case has been deferred in the IMWG meeting and subsequently comments/views/NOC(s) are received from all concerned agencies with no divergence in views, authorization shall be issued with the approval of Chairman, IMWG or any officer nominated by Chairman/DGFT (not below the rank of Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade/Under Secretary) and such cases shall be brought before IMWG in its subsequent meeting for approval on ex-post facto basis. |
Effect of this Public Notice: Para 10.06(III) of HBP 2023 has been amended to notify the changes in the delegation of powers for approval of authorizations under SCOMET where comments/views/NOC(s) are received from all concerned agencies with no divergence in views.
SANTOSH KUMAR SARANGI,
Director General of Foreign Trade Ex-officio Addl. Secy.
