Power Ministry joins ‘Make in India’ pitch, calls for curbs on imports

The Ministry of Power, in a discussion with the electricity industry and key stakeholders of the sector, has asked for a renewed focus on domestic manufacturing and announced curbs on imports. R K Singh, the Union minister of state for power, new and renewable energy, announced that a basic customs duty (BCD) would be imposed on imports of solar cells and modules. The minister said the duty would take effect in August.

A BCD of 20 per cent on solar imports was proposed in the Union Budget 2020-21. However, the ministry said it would remain zero. Solar cells and modules are exempt from any BCD, according to a 2005 notification of the department of revenue. “A clear trajectory of BCD would be declared so that there is no uncertainty about government policy,” said the public statement by the power ministry.