Government sources have indicated that around 110 requests have been approved for grant of import licenses for laptops and computers. While most of the requests submitted on the government portal have been approved, a rejected request is from a company that figures in the "denied entity list".
The companies that received approvals include Dell International Services India, Apple India, HP India Sales Pvt Ltd, Lenovo (India), ASUS India, IBM India, Samsung India Electronics, Xiaomi Technology India, Cisco Commerce India, Siemens Ltd and Bosch Ltd, as per news agency PTI.
The new
'import management system' is aimed at monitoring shipments of laptops, tablets and computers into the country without hurting market supply or creating a cumbersome licensing regime.
"Around 110 import authorisations have been issued to date. All major IT hardware companies have already availed authorisations. All applications received are being disposed of within the time stipulated. There is no pendency as on date," an official told PTI.
The new license regime is applicable to laptops, personal computers (including tablet computers), microcomputers, large or mainframe computers, and certain data processing machines to ensure India's trusted supply chain.
While an import management system for electronic products like laptops, computers and tablets has kicked in from November 1, the United States, South Korea and several other nations had expressed concerns with these import policy changes.
The US had even expressed concerns before the WTO Committee on Market Access, citing uncertainties for exporters and users. However, India has maintained that its move is in line with its international commitments and isn't violative of any WTO norms. India had imported personal computers, including laptops, worth $5.33 billion in FY 2022-23, compared to $7.37 billion in FY 2021-22.
(With inputs from PTI)
