Relief for solar panel importers with provisional stay on safeguard duty

Move will provide interim relief to importers; whether duty would eventually be payable would depend on the finalisation of the proceedings before the High Court

The ministry of finance has allowed a ‘provisional stay’ on imposing safeguard duty on imported solar cells and modules in India. The department of revenue in its notice issued dated August 13 said that due to an order by Odisha High Court imposing stay on safeguard duty on solar panels, the department has decided to “not to insist on payment of safeguard duty.”

This would come as a temporary relief for the solar power producers importing solar panels. The department of revenue in its notice said, “Accodingly, till further direction from the Board, solar cells and modules, be assessed provisionally