Page 21 - Craftcil Aug & Sep 2023

M eetings

EPCH strongly represents claim of ITC HS Codes during interaction

with Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics

th
Kolkata; 6 September 2023

The Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and for the last 40 years resulting in exports growth. It was
Statistics (DCGCI&S) organized a two day interaction with represented that items like glassware, wooden handicrafts,
different EPCs along with representatives of Department of articles of brass and copper, EPNS ware, flutes & musical
Commerce (DoC) to understand the data compiled on the basis instruments, hurricane lanterns etc. does not find adequate
of ITC HS Codes and claimed by respective EPCs. Through this representation in the compilation of exports data by DGCI&S
interaction DGCI&S aimed to understand the views of EPCs and it is important that the same may be considered under the
regarding the regrouping of ITC HS Codes. EPCH represented its purview of Handicrafts thus reflecting the correct picture of
stand under the leadership of Mr. O P Prahladka, COA Member, exports of handicrafts.

Left: Mr. O P Prahladka, COA Member, EPCH and Convenor, Eastern Region, along with Mr. Rajesh Rawat, Additional Executive Director, EPCH,
represented EPCH at the interaction with DCGCI&S.Right: A group photograph of officials from DCGCI&S along with representatives from various EPCs

EPCH and Convenor, Eastern Region, along with Mr. Rajesh Rawat, During the interaction, the DGCI&S was represented by
Additional Executive Director, EPCH. Mr. Ajay Bakshi, Dy DG; Smt Devanjana Datta, Dy DG;
Mr. S. Bhattachrya, Director; Mr. Subhajit Roy, Director; Smt Madhura
EPCH strongly represented its claim of ITC HS Codes and
Roy, Joint Director; and other team members. Apart from EPCH
made a detailed presentation on the activities undertaken for
other EPCs present during the meeting were CHEMEXCIL,
the promotion of the handicrafts sector and different steps taken
PHARMA EPC, Shellac EPC, Plastic EPC. DoC was represented by
on PAN India basis for export promotion. During the interaction,
Mr. Sanjeet Kumar, DDG and Mr. R L Meena, Under Secretary. Team
EPCH also organized a display of products across segments
DGCI&S made note of the claim made by EPCH for the ITC HS
such as artmetalware, woodware, textile based handicrafts,
codes and assured to make an effort to streamline the issue and
paper machie, glass artware, terracota, stoneware,fashion
take up the matter with other EPCs in consultation with Ministry
jewellery, leather craft, zari, etc.
of Commerce & Industry, Ministry of Textiles & Customs, wherein
During the meeting Mr. Rajesh Rawat explained the various
the ITC HS codes are overlapping in order to resolve the long
developmental and promotional activities undertaken by EPCH
standing issue. „

CRAFTCIL • August-September 2023 21