GUWAHATI, Feb 26 : Government of India through a notification dated February 12, 2002 granted excise Duty exemption to new industrial units in all industrially approved locations under Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and several other industrial areas in the State. The notification was issued as an amendment to the July 8, 1999 notification of the Finance Ministry granting excise duty exemption to industrial units located in notified industrial areas in he State.
Sources in the industry circle here informed that in view of the fresh notification of excise duty exemption issued by the Finance Ministry, hundreds on new industrial units would be benefited. As a matter of fact it would be major boost to new investors and entrepreneurs in the State. Although the excise duty exemption would be applicable to only new units, existing industrial units undergoing substantial expansion will also get the benefit. It may be mentioned that the industry circle in the NE region under the leadership of Federation of North East Industries and Commerce (FINER) have been demanding that entire North Eastern region should be declared as excise duty free zone.
The president of the FINER, Abhijit Barooah informed that the federation had collected extensive data on location of hundreds of industrial units located in industrial areas in and around Guwahati and other parts of the State from respective revenue offices of government of Assam. The list of these industrial units were submitted to the Union Finance Ministry about two years back seeking excise duty exemption for them after getting approval from the State Government. A delegation of the FINER had a meeting with the Industry Secretary of Government of India on January 28, last and pressed for their demand for excise duty exemption.
Excise Duty Exemption areas : The industrial areas under GMDA covered by the fresh excise duty exemption notification dated February 12 last are, Bonda, Pachimboragaon, Pubboragaon, Saukuchi, Jootikuchi, Betkuchi, Dharapur (Palasbari), Abhoypur (North Guwahati), Gouripur (North Guwahati), Ghorajan (North Guwahati), Amingaon (Guwahati), Azara, Garal (Palasbari), Sila Mahekhati (North Guwahati), Sila (North Guwahati), Koroi Bari (North Guwahati), Numali Jalah (North Guwahati), Mathgharia, Birkuchi, Sendurigopa.
Other industrial locations in the State which are covered under the notification, are: Biswanath Chariali, Numaligarh, Numalijalah, Dhing, Ratabari, Kaliabor (APDC complex) Dangupara, No 2 Dakhin Sekhadri, Sila-II, Mandakata, Doomdooma, Digboi, Changsari Industrial complex, Co-operative Spinning Mill at Boitamari, Swahid Kushal Konwar Spinning Mill in Golaghat district.