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"Government is alive to the fact that there are certain areas in which domestic players do not have level playing field. Government is committed to rectify this and we are moving fast in this direction, and in a very short time a decision on the same will be taken," S Sundareshan, Secretary in Union Ministry of Heavy Industries, said here.
He was speaking at an event organised by IEEMA, top body for the Indian power equipment manufacturing industry.
Domestic companies have been long complaining that they are becoming increasingly uncompetitive due to the cheaper power equipment imported from China.
To protect their interests and provide them level playing field, domestic players led by Bhel and L&T have been demanding imposition of 14 per cent duty on import of electrical equipment as a cushion against local taxes.
Sundareshan said, however, that global players are welcome. "We are committed to provide level playing field to Indian firms, but at the same time we will welcome international players and nothing will be done to shut doors on them."
Indian manufacturers have sought imposition of 5 per cent each Customs and special duty, and 4 per cent countervailing duty, on imported power equipment.
State-owned Bhel has been facing competition from Chinese players such as Shandong Electric Power Construction, Shanghai Electric Group, Dongfang Electric and Harbin Power Equipment, both in domestic and overseas markets.
Voicing concerns of domestic players, RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka said absence of the same set of rules is affecting the industry's viability and this can have severe long-term consequences.
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