(a) whether the Duty Entitlement Pass Book (DEPB) scheme has been abolished recently;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has received certain requests from various industries for the further extension of the said scheme; and
(d) if so, the response of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)
(a) to (d) Yes, Madam. Government has withdrawn DEPB Scheme with effect from 1.10.2011. It was decided that revised duty drawback rates are
extended to items which were in the DEPB Scheme. The Duty Drawback Scheme, which was announced for the year 2011-12 on 20.9.2011 (effective
from 1.10.2011) has 1096 new items. The Scheme was earlier extended for a further period of 3 months from 30.6.2011, i.e., upto 30.9.2011
so as to facilitate a smooth transition once the DEPB Scheme is phased out. Government has received requests from various industries for
extension of DEPB Scheme. The decision to phase out DEPB has not been reconsidered.