1 week ago
Exporters Seek Separate West Bengal Policy and Lower Truck Charges
The Federation of Indian Export Organisations wants West Bengal to create a special plan for exporters.
It says exporters need different help from other industries because they compete in international markets.
The group also wants an employment scheme called VB-G RAM G to support urban industries.
It suggested that companies provide work for 175 days and the government support another 125 days.
Exporters want lower charges for trucks carrying goods to Bangladesh through land ports.
They said these charges can be between Rs 8,000 and Rs 20,000 per truck.
They also asked for help with carbon rules and environmental requirements for selling goods in the European Union.
The state finance minister said GST problems would be discussed with officials and exporters.
FIEO has sought a separate export policy for West Bengal, distinct from the state’s upcoming industry policy.
FIEO proposed including the VB-G RAM G scheme to help urban industries address shortages of skilled labour.
The exporters’ body asked the state to further reduce Suvidha slot-booking charges for export trucks bound for Bangladesh.
Current truck slot charges reportedly range from Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000 per vehicle.
FIEO also requested carbon-trading and ESG-compliance provisions, while the finance minister agreed to discuss exporters’ GST concerns with officials and stakeholders.
- Who
- The Federation of Indian Export Organisations’ Eastern Region, represented by chairman Abhishek Poddar, met West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta.
- What
- FIEO sought a separate state export policy, labour support through the VB-G RAM G scheme, lower truck slot-booking charges, carbon-trading and ESG provisions, and action on GST issues.
- Where
- Kolkata, West Bengal; the truck-charge issue concerns land ports used for exports to Bangladesh.
- When
- The meeting was described as recent; the report was dated Thursday, Aug. 20, with no year specified.
- Why
- FIEO said exporters need targeted policy support, industries face labour shortages, high transport-slot charges hurt smaller firms, and European Union market access requires carbon and ESG compliance.
Key facts
- Organisation
- Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), Eastern Region
- FIEO representative
- Abhishek Poddar, Eastern Region chairman
- State official
- West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta
- Proposed labour arrangement
- Industry would provide 175 days of work and the government would support another 125 days under the proposed scheme.
- Truck slot charges
- Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000 per vehicle at designated land ports, according to Poddar.
- Export route
- Land routes from West Bengal to Bangladesh
- Other policy request
- Carbon trading and ESG compliance mechanisms in the state export policy
Quotes
Abhishek Poddar
Chairman of FIEO Eastern Region
“"The export policy should be properly segregated from the industry policy. Exports need targeted support, and their requirements are different from general industries."”
theprint.in
“"There are no such charges in other states bordering Bangladesh."”
theprint.in
Sources
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