Question : Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme

(a) whether the Government is planning to simplify the norms under the Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme and if so, the details thereof including the timeline set in this regard;

(b) whether the Government is going to take up the issue of bringing down the tax rate of Kashmiri handicrafts under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) with the GST Council, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(c) whether the Government has raised the duty drawback rates to boost textile and apparel exports, if so, the details thereof along with the details of new target of exports set by the Government for the coming years, if any?

MINISTER OF TEXTILES
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.


STATEMENT IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *327 FOR ANSWER ON 03.01.2019 BY SHRI RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKER AND SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH REGARDING “AMENDED TECHNOLOGY UPGRADATION FUND SCHEME”.

(a) Yes, Madam. The Government has modified the guidelines of A-TUFSand issued on 02.08.2018 to simplify the process of availing subsidy under the scheme which are as follows:

(i) Automatic Unique Identification Number (UID) generation
(ii) Submission of documents through digital signature
(iii) End to end solutions with less human intervention
(iv) Simplification of procedure for machinery enlistment

These modifications promote ease of doing business in the country and achieve the vision of generating employment and promoting exports through “Make in India’’ with "Zero effect and Zero defect" in manufacturing.
(b) No, Madam. The Government has not received any such proposal. However, if any such proposal is received in future, the same will be taken up with the GST Council.

(c) Yes, Madam. The Government has revised the duty drawback rates of textile and apparel sector from 2.01% during 2017-18 to 2.46% currently. The details are given below:

Category 2017-18 (w.e.f. 1st October 2017) Current Rates (w.e.f. 19th December 2018)
Apparel 2.83% 3.27%
Made-ups 1.65% 1.76%
Overall Textile 1.78% 2.22%
Overall T&A 2.01% 2.46%

Further, the Government has set the export target for textile and apparel including handicrafts at USD 47.287 bn for FY 2018-19.

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