Amendment in Para 9.08 of Handbook of Procedures 2015 20 Inclusion of new agencies in Standing Grievance Committee

## Report on Amendment to Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020 **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes Public Notice No. 44 (2015-2020), issued on January 5, 2022, which amends paragraph 9.08 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2015-2020 related to the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-2020. The core purpose of this amendment is to revise the composition of the Standing Grievance Committee by including other relevant Central/State Government agencies to facilitate speedy redressal of grievances related to export and foreign trade. Key findings indicate an effort to create a more comprehensive platform for addressing industry concerns. **2. Introduction:** This report provides a detailed analysis of Public Notice No. 44 (2015-2020), issued on January 5, 2022, which amends paragraph 9.08 of the Handbook of Procedures 2015-2020 concerning the establishment and function of Standing Grievance Committees under the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020. This analysis is based solely on the provided text of the public notice. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy:** The amendment pertains to the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020 and specifically modifies paragraph 9.08 of the Handbook of Procedures 2015-2020. * **Core Objective(s):** The objective of the amendment is to facilitate "speedy redressal of genuine grievances of trade and industry pertaining to Export and Foreign Trade." This is achieved by revising the composition of the Standing Grievance Committee. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment addresses the need for a more inclusive and comprehensive grievance redressal mechanism. The rationale, inferred from the text, is that the original composition of the Standing Grievance Committee was insufficient to adequately address the diverse range of issues faced by industry members. The inclusion of Central/State Government agencies suggests that issues related to customs, GST, banking, and district-level industry support were not adequately addressed by the original committee structure. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This amendment modifies paragraph 9.08 of the HBP 2015-2020. * **Specific Part Changed:** Paragraph 9.08, relating to the composition of the Standing Grievance Committee. * **New Rule/Provision:** The amendment mandates the inclusion of other relevant Central/State Government agencies such as Customs, GST Authorities, Banks, and General Managers of District Industries Centres (DICs) as members of the Standing Grievance Committee. The text indicates that the original composition included DGFT, heads of Regional Authorities (RAs), representatives of Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards, Development Authorities, and Government Departments, along with technical authorities. * **Difference/Effect of Change:** This change expands the scope of the committee to encompass a broader range of expertise and authority. By including representatives from customs, GST, banking, and DICs, the committee is better positioned to address a wider variety of industry grievances related to foreign trade. This suggests a more holistic and localized approach to grievance resolution. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders are members of the trade and industry involved in export and foreign trade. This includes exporters, manufacturers, service providers, and related businesses. The amendment directly affects how these stakeholders can address grievances related to foreign trade policies and procedures. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agencies/Bodies:** The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is the primary responsible agency, as the amendment is issued under its authority. The revised Standing Grievance Committee, with its expanded membership, is the implementing body. Regional Authorities (RAs) also play a role, as the committee is chaired by heads of RAs in regional offices. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The text does not specify any timelines or new procedures for implementation. However, it is inferred that the revised committee structure will be implemented immediately following the issuance of this public notice. * **Focus on Changes:** Implementation will involve identifying and incorporating representatives from Customs, GST Authorities, Banks, and GM DICs into the existing Standing Grievance Committee framework. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome of these changes is to create a more efficient and effective platform for addressing industry grievances. By including a broader range of stakeholders, the Standing Grievance Committee will be better equipped to: * Provide faster and more comprehensive resolution of issues. * Reduce the need for industry members to engage with multiple agencies separately. * Improve the overall ease of doing business in the context of foreign trade. The potential impact is a more streamlined and responsive grievance redressal system, leading to increased confidence and participation in export activities. **9. Conclusion:** Public Notice No. 44 (2015-2020) represents a significant amendment to the Handbook of Procedures 2015-2020, aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the Standing Grievance Committees under the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020. By broadening the representation on these committees to include a wider range of government agencies, the amendment seeks to create a more holistic and responsive mechanism for addressing the grievances of trade and industry, ultimately fostering a more conducive environment for export and foreign trade.

Key Entities Referenced