Context

The notification of benefit rates payable to exporters under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products (RODTEP) scheme is expected to take more time as it is facing ‘teething issues.

About

• RoDTEP stands for Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products.
• It is formed to replace the existing MEIS (Merchandise Exports from India Scheme).
• The scheme will ensure that the exporters receive the refunds on the embedded taxes and duties previously non-recoverable.
• The scheme was brought about with the intention to boost exports which were relatively poor in volume previously.

What is the need for the RoDTEP Scheme?

The following were some of the export subsidy programmes recommended to be withdrawn: Merchandise Exports from India Scheme Export Oriented Units Scheme Electronics Hardware Technology Parks Scheme Bio-Technology Parks Scheme Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Scheme Duty-Free Imports for Exporters Scheme

• The US had challenged India’s key export subsidy schemes in the WTO (World Trade Organisation), claiming them to harm the American workers.
• A dispute panel in the WTO ruled against India, stating that the export subsidy programmes that were provided by the Government of India violated the provisions of the trade body’s norms.
  
• The panel further recommended that the export subsidy programmes be withdrawn.
• This led to the birth of the RoDTEP Scheme, so as to ensure that India stays WTO-compliant.

Key Features of the scheme

• Refund of the previously non-refundable duties and taxes: Mandi tax, VAT, Coal cess, Central Excise duty on fuel etc. will now be refunded under this particular scheme. All the items under the MEIS and the RoSTCL (Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies) are now under the purview of the RoDTEP Scheme.
• Automated system of credit: The refund will be issued in the form of transferable electronic scrips. These duty credits will be maintained and tracked through an electronic ledger.
• Quick verification through digitisation: Through the introduction of the digital platform, the clearance happens at a much faster rate. Verification of the records of the exporters will be done with the help of an IT-based risk management system to ensure speed and accuracy of transaction processing.
• Multi-sector scheme: Under RoDTEP, all sectors, including the textiles sector, are covered, so as to ensure uniformity across all areas.

Who all can avail benefits of the RoDTEP Scheme?

• All sectors, including the textiles sector, may enjoy the benefits of the RoDTEP Scheme.
• Labor-intensive sectors that enjoy benefits under the MEIS Scheme will be given a priority.
• Manufacturer exporters and merchant exporters (traders) are both eligible for the benefits of this scheme.
• There is no particular turnover threshold to claim the RoDTEP.
• Re-exported products are not eligible under this scheme.
• To be eligible to avail the benefits of this scheme, the exported products need to have the country of origin as India.
• Special Economic Zone Units and Export Oriented Units are also eligible to claim the benefits under this scheme.
• Where goods have been exported via courier through e-commerce platforms, RoDTEP scheme applies to them as well.

MEIS vs RoDTEP