World Trade Organization Organisation Mondiale du Commerce Organización Mundial del Comercio

Reply: India is taking steps to notify such schemes which are in the nature of subsidies.

Canada 3:

Report by the Secretariat (WT/TPR/S/249): Part II. Trade Policy Regime: Framework and Objectives: (4) Investment Regimes (i) Business Environment; (b) Industrial licensing and zoning: paragraph 30, page 30:

The Secretariat's Report indicates that, "the establishment of an industry remains subject to zoning, to land use regulations at the state level, and to environmental regulations at the central level". The Report also mentions that "Prior environmental clearance is required for all domestic or foreign companies planning a project in an area listed in the Schedule to the 2006 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification".

3. 
   Can India please explain the domestic process for conducting environmental impact assessments of domestic and foreign companies' projects?
   

Reply: The environmental appraisal of developmental projects is undertaken as per the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006. This Notification provides for screening, scoping for terms of reference (TOR), public consultation and final appraisal for consideration of the environmental clearance. The Notification is applicable uniformly to the developmental projects and activities of the Central Government, state Government, private entrepreneurs, joint venture companies as well as foreign companies.

As a first step, the project proponents have to apply in the prescribed format for seeking terms of reference for preparation of the EIA Reports and Environmental Management Plans (EMPs). The EIA Reports are required to be prepared by accredited Consultants. After preparation of the draft EIA Report, the public hearing is organized by the respective State Pollution Control Boards after following due procedure, as detailed in the EIA Notification, 2006. The issues raised in the public consultation process have to be reflected in the final EIA Report with a detailed clarification on how they are going to be addressed.

After public consultation, final EIA Report is submitted by the project proponent for appraisal. The EIA and EMP Reports are examined by the sector specific expert appraisal committees (EACs) in which the project proponents are given an opportunity to present their case. Based on the recommendations of the EAC, the project is processed in the Ministry for final decision on environmental clearance.

Canada 4:

Report by the Secretariat (WT/TPR/S/249): Part III. Trade Policies and Practices by Measure: (2) Measures Directly Affecting Imports: (ii) Customs Valuation and clearance: paragraph 25, page 41:

The Secretariat's Report notes that in March 2011, 143 items were subject to a maximum retail price (MRP) based excise duty payment and the abatement ranges from 20% to 40% of the retail price.

4. 
   Could India please provide a list of items pertaining to agriculture and food products and the value of excise duty attributed to each item for the five most recent years?