The Hindu Business Line : Leather exporters seek Rs 100-cr fund for effluent treatment

THE Council for Leather Exports (CLE) has urged the Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, to set up in the forthcoming Budget a separate Rs 100-crore fund for assisting tanneries in effluent treatment using the reverse osmosis process.

At a pre-Budget meeting with the Finance Minister here on Friday, the Chairman of the CLE, Mr Rafeeque Ahmed, also made a case for exempting leather product machinery from the levy of excise duty.

"Most of the leather product machinery are imported. In India, there is meagre level of manufacturing of such machinery. We want the excise duty to go. Since there is an excise duty, imports of such machinery attracts countervailing duty," Mr Ahmed told Business Line.

Moreover, the CLE has also pitched for higher excise exemption limit for shoes. "Currently, shoes up to Rs 250 per pair do not attract excise duty. We have suggested that this should be hiked to Rs 500 per pair," he said.

The CLE expects leather product exports to be at least $2.5 billion during the current fiscal year.

Synthetic Rayon exporters demand: Meanwhile, the Synthetic & Rayon Textile Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) has pitched for a reduction in excise duty on polyester staple fibre (PSF) from 16 per cent to 8 per cent. The Council has also sought a reduction in excise duty on polyester filament yarn from 24 per cent to 16 per cent.

More Stories on : Leather | Budget | Environment

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Weather insurance slow to gain acceptance in India

Budget `06: Exporters may get service tax rebate

CPI wants rationalisation of corporate tax exemptions

India to conduct study for ESCAP on strengthening institutions

Trade margins on generic drugs to be capped at 50 pc — No levies on medicines for cancer and HIV/AIDS

High-level team headed for Oman to strike Dabhol dues settlement — May place firm orders for gas purchase

Vaghela to present textile industry's case to Chidambaram

Call to fix norms for national drinking water security

IIMs may opt for uniform fee for PGP courses — Hike in fees on cards

Leather exporters seek Rs 100-cr fund for effluent treatment

Women score high in micro finance