Govt's decision to hike duty on TV cells to further increase prices

The planned 5 per cent increase in duty on open cells to further worsen TV makers plight

Turning down the demand of domestic TV manufacturers, the government has decided to reimpose 5 per cent customs duty on open cells, a key component for television manufacturing, from October 1.

The Rs 25,000 crore TV industry said the move is expected to lead to price hikes across the market and put additional burden on TV makers in the country that are already struggling with inadequate supply. However, the government sources did not agree with the possibility of any major price hike.

The 5 per cent customs duty exemption for import of the component was given for a year till