Meity may bat for lower duty on electronics parts imports

Domestic manufacturing of mobile phones, gadgets may benefit from cheaper parts

- Gulveen Aulakh

The ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) is considering recommending rationalizing tariffs on imported parts used in making mobile phones and other electronic devices, following presentations from industry representatives, a senior official said, seeking anonymity.

"The matter is in discussion with the finance ministry officials. The industry had petitioned the government several times to lower the duties, and now we have initiated the discussions," another official said, also requesting anonymity.

"We will be deliberating on options to lower tariffs or duties such that it aligns with the Centre's local manufacturing and value addition ambitions," the official added. "Already some of the inputs have negligible or low tariffs, but if there are more components that have to be considered for review, we will be looking into it."