Speaking on the occasion Chavan assured all assistance to CETMA in sorting out its problems with the government. He invited the industry leaders to approach the government with their priority list.
He wanted the consumer electronics industry to come out with new products and new brands. This was essential as the consumer was globalised, he said.
R P Khaitan, outgoing CETMA president, presented the industry's demands which included abolition of central sales tax, reduction of customs duty on consumer electronic products and its inputs, rationalisation of Cenvat to eight per cent on all electronic products.
It also called for imposition of eight per cent Cenvat on Set Top box, abolition of excise exemptions, uniform four per cent VAT/Sales Tax on all electronic products and a five per cent interest rate subsidy for five years for the electronic industry.