Radio Cos Seek Excise Exemption

The All India Radio and Electronics Association has demanded total exemption from excise duty on radio, transistors and radio cassettes to save this predominantly small-scale industry from sickness.

Addressing a press conference here yesterday, association president N K Verma said radio transistors and cassettes attract an excise duty of 8 and 18 per cent respectively whereas black and white television is totally exempt from payment of excise duty. Verma said the duty on black and white television was withdrawn because of "its mass communication reach".