The Government of India earlier this week clarified that with regards to foreign aid coming in large numbers to India, there is a “streamlined and systematic mechanism for allocation of the support supplies received by India has been put into place.”
As India’s coronavirus situation continues to go out of hand, the global community has stepped in and decided to provide aid to India and help them get out of the second wave of COVID-19. The Government of India earlier this week clarified that with regards to foreign aid coming in large numbers to India, there is a “streamlined and systematic mechanism for allocation of the support supplies received by India has been put into place.”
Medical equipment, medicines, oxygen concentrators, ventilators, etc, are being provided by many countries. “The health infrastructure of several States and UTs have been overwhelmed by the very high number of daily cases and increased mortality.” said a press release by the government.
The steps taken for expeditious clearance on fast track basis are as follows:
- The Goods are given high Priority for clearance by the Customs Systems for processing over other goods.
- Nodal Officers also get alerts on email for monitoring and clearance.
- Monitoring by senior officers for the pendency of COVID-related imports is also being undertaken.
- The Handholding to the trade is given for complying with the requirements beforehand.
- Outreach activities and Helpdesk enables Trade to get the goods cleared on arrival.
Also Read: Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka Among Other States Report 0% Vaccine Wastage In 45+ Category
In addition to faster clearance,
- Indian customs has waived Basic Customs Duty and Health cess on goods identified for defending Covid.
- When imported free of cost and distributed freely, based on the state govt. certification, IGST is also waived.
- Further, for the import of oxygen concentrators for personal use, IGST has been reduced from 28% to 12%
As per the statement, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, D&N Haveli, Delhi, Goa. Gujarat. Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal have already benefited from the aid so far and as the different tranches are coming in, the rest of the States and UTs will also be covered in the coming days.
The government also provided a list of hospitals in various regions that have received BiPAP Machines, Oxygen (Oxygen Concentrators, Oxygen Cylinders, PSA Oxygen Plants, Pulse Oximeters), Drugs (Flaviparivir and Remdesivir), PPE (Coveralls, N-95 masks and gowns), that can be viewed here.
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