Finance Minister Sitharaman promises implementation of BCD on solar modules from April 2022 during a meeting with solar industry associations – EQ Mag Pro
The associations have also requested that a notification regarding this be brought in the upcoming union budget
Delhi, India, January 6th, 2022: Today, at a meeting with a delegation of North India Module Manufacturers Association (NIMMA), Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA), and All India Solar Industries Association (AISIA) officials, Shri Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister, GoI assured that the BCD (Basic Customs Duty) will be implemented at the proposed time from 1st April 2022. The meeting took place in the Ministry of Finance, North Block, Delhi under the leadership of Shri Ramcharan Bohra, MP – Jaipur City.
The delegation flagged their concerns regarding manufacturing units that are on the verge of closing owing to the current duty-free window on solar panels and solar cells from China and other countries. They also appealed to her to exempt the module and cell line plant and machinery from import duty.
Mr. Manish Gupta – President, NIMMA said, “The meeting with the minister was promising as she recognised that the industry will require policy assistance to grow and achieve its full potential. Implementation of BCD will bring relief to the domestic manufacturing industry. We hope that additional measures to address supply-chain gaps will be considered. Further, this is the peak time for developers to purchase modules, and I request them to promote the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and install Indian modules.”
Mr. Bharat Bhut – Cofounder & Director, Goldi Solar, leading Indian Solar Manufacturer said, “We appreciate the government’s move to implement BCD on schedule. It is a boon for Indian module manufacturers who have been facing stiff price competition from imported modules. Goldi Solar has also increased its module manufacturing capacity to 2.5 GW and plans to expand to 5 GW to align with the Indian Government’s vision in becoming energy-independent with Made in India modules.”
In the delegation, Mr. Manish Gupta, Mr. Vineet Mittal, Mr. Arpit Agarwal, Mr. Manish Agarwal and Mr. Sandeep Gupta were present on behalf of the solar associations.
About North India Module Manufacturers Association (NIMMA)
NIMMA to promote Solar PV Modules Manufacturers in India was established in October 2017 to promote and voice the concerns of small and medium solar PV module manufacturers. NIMMA assists its members to develop, promote and improve the product and manufacturing standards, joint marketing strategies and takes up the concerns of its members with the concerned authorities. The Association also works as a nodal platform for the development and process of scientific and economic research regarding development and manufacturing of solar PV module.
