PIB Summary- 25th April, 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

RoDTEP Scheme

Context

The government is setting up a system to verify that only taxes paid on materials used (input duties) are refunded under the RoDTEP scheme.

Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme

• The RoDTEP Scheme allows exporters to receive refunds on taxes and duties that are not exempted or refunded under any other scheme.
• Under the scheme, exporters receive refunds on the embedded taxes and duties previously non-recoverable.
• The chief aim of the scheme is to boost the export of goods that were poor in volume.
• The scheme basically replaces the Merchandise Export from India Scheme (MEIS).
• The scheme provides for rebates of Central, State and Local duties/taxes/ levies which are not refunded under any other duty remission schemes.
• The RoDTEP scheme can be said to be a combination of the MEIS and the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL).
• Under this scheme, refund would be claimed as a percentage of the Freight On Board (FOB) value of exports. 

Features of RoDTEP Scheme

• It covers duties and taxes levied at the central, state and local levels that are not reimbursed under any other mechanism. Items that were under the MEIS and the RoSCTL are shifted to the RoDTEP.
• Refunds will be issued to exporters as transferable duty credit/electronic scrips and maintained in an electronic ledger. This is keeping in line with the Digital India mission. This can be used to pay basic customs duty on imported goods. The credits can also be transferred to other importers.
• Faster clearance through a digital platform will be facilitated through a monitoring & audit mechanism, with an IT-based risk management system that would physically verify the exporters’ records.
• The scheme is applicable across all sectors.

RoDTEP Benefits

• Being WTO-compliant, the RoDTEP scheme can make available from the government benefits to the exporters seamlessly.
• The scheme is more exhaustive in that certain taxes that were not covered under the previous scheme are also included in the list, for example, education cess, state taxes on oil, power and water.
• It will add more competitiveness in the foreign markets, with assured duty benefits by the Indian Government.
• It will also help exporters meet international standards and promote business growth.
• Also under RoDTEP, tax assessment is set to become fully automatic for exporters, hence, Businesses will get access to their refunds for GST via an automatic refund-route.

International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

Context

Recently, The Prime Minister addressed the 6th edition of the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

About ICDRI

• Prime Minister highlighted the impressive growth of CDRI, which now includes 39 countries and 7 organizations, emphasizing its global reach and significance.

Impact of Natural Disasters

• PM Modi emphasized the devastating human impact of natural disasters beyond monetary evaluation.
• Mentioned earthquakes causing homelessness, disruptions to water and sewage systems endangering public health, and potential risks to energy plants.

Importance of Resilient Infrastructure

• Emphasized the need to invest in resilient infrastructure for a better future.
• Advocated for integrating resilience in new infrastructure and post-disaster rebuilding.

Shared Resilience in a Global Context

• Highlighted the interconnected nature of global disasters and the need for individual country resilience for collective global resilience.
• Stressed the role of CDRI and the conference in fostering shared resilience.

Support for Vulnerable Regions

• Referred to CDRI’s program funding projects in 13 Small Island Developing States at high risk of disasters.
• Cited examples of resilient housing in Dominica, transport networks in Papua New Guinea, and early warning systems in the Dominican Republic and Fiji.

Future Initiatives

• Recalled the formation of a new Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group during India’s G20 Presidency, focusing on financing discussions.
• Expressed confidence in the fruitful deliberations at the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) over the next two days.

What is CDRI?

• CDRI is an independent international organization comprising a global partnership of national governments, United Nations agencies and programs, multilateral development banks and financing mechanisms, the private sector, and academic and research institutions.
• Its objective is to enhance the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks, ensuring sustainable development.
• CDRI was launched in 2019 at the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York and is India’s second major global initiative after the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
• The CDRI Secretariat is located in New Delhi, India.

Membership

• Since its establishment, 31 countries, 6 international organizations, and 2 private sector organizations have joined CDRI as members.

Significance for India

• CDRI provides a platform for India to establish itself as a global leader in Climate Action and Disaster Resilience.
• It enhances India’s soft power and has broader implications beyond economics, as the synergy between disaster risk reduction, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Climate Accord paves the way for sustainable and inclusive growth.