Amendment in Para 2.54 of Handbook of Procedures of FTP, 2015 2020 Extension of timelines regarding.

## Policy Analysis Report: Extension of Timeline for Installation of Radiation Portal Monitors and Container Scanners in Designated Sea Ports **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a public notice issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. This notice amends Para 2.54 of the Handbook of Procedures of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-2020. The core purpose of this amendment is to extend the deadline for the installation and operationalization of Radiation Portal Monitors and Container Scanners in designated sea ports from September 30, 2021, to March 31, 2022. The key finding is that this provides additional time for relevant stakeholders to comply with the original mandate. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an informative analysis of Public Notice No. 26/2015-2020, issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on September 29, 2021. The analysis focuses on the provided text of the amendment to Para 2.54 of the Handbook of Procedures of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-2020. **3. Policy Overview:** * This is an amendment to the existing Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-2020. * **Core Objective (Inferred):** The objective of the original policy (and implicitly maintained in this amendment) is to enhance security and safety measures at designated sea ports by implementing Radiation Portal Monitors and Container Scanners. The amendment aims to provide a more realistic timeframe for achieving this objective. **4. Background and Rationale:** * The original policy mandated the installation and operationalization of Radiation Portal Monitors and Container Scanners in designated sea ports by a specific date. The rationale for this specific amendment is likely due to unforeseen challenges or delays in the installation and operationalization process, preventing stakeholders from meeting the initial deadline of September 30, 2021. The extension to March 31, 2022, suggests a need to provide more time to complete the installation and make the systems operational. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** Para 2.54 dvii of the Handbook of Procedures of FTP 2015-2020. * **New Rule/Provision:** The new provision extends the deadline for installing and operationalizing Radiation Portal Monitors and Container Scanners in designated sea ports to March 31, 2022. * **Difference/Effect of the Change:** The change effectively grants stakeholders an additional six months to complete the installation and operationalization of the required equipment. This provides more flexibility and reduces the pressure to meet the original deadline. It alleviates the possibility of non-compliance due to the strictness of the original deadline. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the provided text, the target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this amendment are: * Designated sea ports and their operating authorities. * Entities responsible for the procurement, installation, and operationalization of Radiation Portal Monitors and Container Scanners. * The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) as the governing body. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is responsible for overseeing the implementation. Designated sea ports are responsible for the actual installation and operation. * **Timelines:** The key timeline specified in the amendment is the new deadline of March 31, 2022, for completing the installation and operationalization of the equipment. The text does not provide specific procedures beyond referencing the Handbook of Procedures of FTP 2015-2020. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this amendment is to ensure the successful installation and operationalization of Radiation Portal Monitors and Container Scanners in designated sea ports by the extended deadline. The potential impact of the amendment includes: * Increased likelihood of full compliance with the original policy due to the extended timeframe. * Enhanced security and safety measures at sea ports as a result of the eventual implementation of the scanners and monitors. * Reduced risk of disruptions in trade and port operations that might have arisen from non-compliance with the original deadline. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to Para 2.54 of the Handbook of Procedures of FTP 2015-2020, as detailed in Public Notice No. 26/2015-2020, provides a crucial extension to the deadline for installing and operationalizing Radiation Portal Monitors and Container Scanners in designated sea ports. This extension from September 30, 2021, to March 31, 2022, is significant as it allows stakeholders additional time to meet the policy's requirements, potentially leading to improved security and safety measures at designated sea ports and mitigating potential disruptions to trade. The successful implementation by the new deadline is critical to achieving the objectives of the original Foreign Trade Policy.

Key Entities Referenced