Bhel demands 10% import duty on power equipment

[B. Karthick]

Bhel demands 10% import duty on power equipment

State-run Bhel has demanded a 10 per cent customs duty on import of
equipment for both the projects awarded through the international
competitive bidding route and mega power plants.

"We would like to have 10 per cent custom duty on imported power
equipment sourced for both mega power projects or the ones being set
up through the international competitive bidding route (ICB)," CMD
Bhel K Ravi Kumar told PTI over phone.

At present, 5 per cent customs duty is imposed on equipment imported
for the projects that have been awarded to the developers through the
ICB process. Whereas, there is no duty on power equipment sourced for
the mega projects (1,000 Mw and above).

"We want a uniform import duty for type of power projects," Kumar
said.

Bhel is the country's largest public sector power equipment player and
manufacture units that can generate 10,000 Mw of power annually. The
company plans to take this capacity upward to 15,000 Mw by the end of
the current financial year.