US solar duty spurs demand for local sale by SEZ units

With the US Department of Commerce imposing a 125.87 per cent duty on imports of solar power equipment from India, the domestic industry has demanded the government should immediately act upon the provision in this year’s Budget to allow SEZ units to sell in the domestic market to avoid similar situations. “This could lead to a shift in import sourcing by US energy companies to avoid such significant tariff barriers and will therefore hurt Indian manufacturers. This also could potentially upset the sentiments which generated by announcement of the trade deal between the two nations earlier this month,” Manish Mishra, Partner & Head of Practice – Indirect Tax, at law firm JSA Advocates & Solicitors. Read more