Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 11: Union Minister, of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, has instructed senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce to pursue the creation of a separate HSN code for handmade carpets and also to consider increasing the import duty on machine-made carpets from Turkey to protect Indian Carpet Industry.
Talking to a delegation of Carpet Export Promotion Council led by MP Dr Vinod Kumar Bind which called on him at Union Capital today assured the delegation that the Government is fully aware of the issue and is working actively on it.
The Minister also acknowledged the sector’s contribution to India’s exports and rural employment and assured all possible support, including consideration of export promotion measures and enhanced assistance for participation in international markets.
Goyal, instructed the concerned officials to take immediate steps to identify and develop new markets for the Indian handmade carpet industry. He further suggested that official delegations be sent to prospective countries to explore fresh opportunities and strengthen India’s global outreach.
The Minister of further assured that the long-awaited MAI Scheme will be resumed very soon, enabling exporters, particularly small and medium enterprises, to once again participate in global exhibitions and strengthen India’s presence in international markets.
The Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, whom the delegation also met latter assured IT that all issues pertaining to the Finance Department will be duly examined and necessary steps will be taken to support the industry. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to safeguarding this vital sector, which not only earns valuable foreign exchange but also sustains the livelihoods of more than 20 lakh weavers and artisans in rural India.
The delegation also raised critical financial concerns, including the challenges under Section 43B(h), where the 15/45-day payment condition is impractical for a long-gestation, export-oriented industry like handmade carpets, and sought a relaxation of up to 180 days or a sector-specific exemption which Minister acknowledged. They further requested the extension and enhancement of the Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES) by increasing the subvention rate from 3% to 5% and extending it for another three years to ease the cost of credit and improve liquidity. The Minister assured the delegation that these concerns will be carefully considered by the Ministry and that the Government will make its best efforts to implement suitable solutions in the interest of the industry.
Kuldeep Raj Wattal Chairman Carpet Export Promotion Council and other representatives were also in the delegation.
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