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THE
TARIFF COMMISSION-A PROFILE
The Tariff Commission was established on 2nd September
1997. Its mandate is to function as an independent expert body to
recommend appropriate tariff levels keeping in mind the larger economic
interests of the country.
The terms of reference
of the Commission, revised on 8th September 1998, cover recommendations on
matters regarding fixation of tariffs and tariff related issues for goods
and services, evolving an overall tariff structure for the country, tariff
rationalisation and market access offers from trading partners. The
Commission looks into these areas when references are made by government
departments and agencies. It is also expected to carry out impact analysis
and technical studies on production costs and industrial competitiveness.
It monitors and maintains data on tariffs and related
matters.
The Commission conducts studies on costing and price fixation matters
referred to it by Central Ministries and agencies. These cover
manufacturing, service and agricultural sectors. Matters concerning State
governments and their agencies have also been studied by the Commission.
Studies are also often undertaken in response to issues raised by industry
associations, manufacturing units etc. There is close liaison with
database and information maintained by trade and tariff related bodies,
agencies and government departments.
The
Commission is headed by a full time Chairman in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India, assisted by Member
Secretary in the rank of Additional Secretary.
The Bureau
of Industrial Costs and Prices (BICP) was merged with the
Tariff Commission on lst April 1999 to provide in-house
support. Its data base and the accumulated multi-disciplinary expertise of
economists, scientists, engineers, cost and chartered accountants,
statisticians and administrators are now part of the Tariff Commission.
Recommendations
are based on analysis of relevant economic parameters like trend in
international trade, demand & supply, future prospects, technology,
competitiveness, tax and tariff policy. Estimated fair price for a product
or service are worked out taking into consideration actual operational and
financial results and efficiency norms.
The Commission has built on the work undertaken by the erstwhile BICP and
produced its own costing & other reports
on a wide range of manufacturing, mining and processing sectors like
fertiliser, metals, petrochemicals, engineering industry, coal sugar etc.
Studies of specific industries have also been undertaken e.g. newsprint,
cellular telephony, mini cement plants, shipbuilding etc.
studies.
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