MRAI with its continuous efforts and meetings with Steel & Commerce ministry has appealed DGFT for additional 3-4 months’ time before implementation of new PSIC rule, though its appeal for replacing videography to photography is already successfully sanctioned.
Indian government on 1 Apr’15 had released a Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-2020, in which it had added a new regulation of videographing the complete loading & inspection procedure under Pre-Shipment Inspection Certification (PSIC) norms for metal scrap imports.
MRAI (Metal Recycling Association of India) and other related associations tried their best to explain the drawbacks of the policy to the ministry. After a thorough meeting of these associations with DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade), the pre-inspection clause has been kept in abeyance, till further notice. The final notice/decision from the ministry is still awaited, and is expected to be drawn within 2-3 days.
A Relief from Video to Still Photos
The newly added rule of videographing the material in PSIC norms, grabbed the whole attention in the policy. According to associations & importers, this was impractical in the Scrap business. Hence, it was successfully replaced with still photographs by DGFT in the meeting.
Grounds for Appeal for Extension
According to MRAI, the procedure will need time for commencement to fulfill the parameters mentioned by DGFT. Considering new guidelines of policy, MRAI has asked time for:
1.Purchasing the new radiation detecting equipment
2.Arranging & training manpower, according to the qualification mentioned for the material inspectors
3.Re-registration of existing Pre-Shipment Inspection Agency (PSIA) which would be providing approval certificates (PSIC)
4.Registering of new PSIA
“We are in continuous talks with the ministry regarding the modification in the PSIC norms in FTP 2015-2020. MRAI along with other ministries & associations is hopeful and looking forward to the decision by DGFT, as we believe the points we kept were realistic & genuine. We may get to hear final decision from DGFT over the appeal in 2-3 days.”– Mr Sanjay Mehta – Vice President, MRAI.
The PSIAs/associations that represented Indian Scrap industry in the meeting with ministry were as follows-
(i) All India Induction Furnaces Association, Delhi
(ii) North India Importer Association
(iii) Jamnagar Exim Metal Merchant Association
(iv) Metal Recycling Association of India
(v) Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc.
(vi) Bombay Non Ferrous Metal Association Ltd
(vii) Inland Importers & Consumers Association
(viii) Ahmedabad Non Ferrous Metal Exim Association
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