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Mobile phone industry will 'crumble' due to increased GST: Xiaomi's Manu Jain

Xiaomi India MD is asking GST Council to at least exempt devices priced below $200 from the latest GST hike
  • At the 39th GST Council meeting on Saturday it was decided to increase GST on mobile phones, specified parts to 18% from 12%
  • Manu Jain Jain also noted that the smartphone industry is 'already struggling with profitability' because the Indian rupee is depreciating against the US dollar (Photo: Reuters)Premium
    Manu Jain Jain also noted that the smartphone industry is 'already struggling with profitability' because the Indian rupee is depreciating against the US dollar (Photo: Reuters)

    New Delhi: The smartphone industry in India is already starting to oppose the government’s decision to increase the goods and service tax (GST) on mobile phones and some components. “GST increase for phones from 12% to 18% will crumble the industry," tweeted Manu Jain, Managing Director, Xiaomi India.

    Jain also noted that the smartphone industry is “already struggling with profitability" because the Indian rupee is depreciating against the US dollar. “Everyone will be forced to increase prices. This will further weaken the mobile industry’s Make In India program," he wrote.

    Further, in a separate tweet, Jain requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharam to reconsider the GST hike. He said the industry is also struggling due to the supply chain disruptions caused by the outbreak of the Covid-19 disease. “At least all devices under $200 (approximately 15,000) must be exempted from this," he added.

    The GST Council today decided to raise the GST on mobile phones from 12% to 18%. "Mobile phones and specified parts to attract 18% versus 12%. All other items, if there's a need to calibrate the rates, to remove the inversion, we can take them up at future, examination of that can happen at a later time," Sitharaman said

    Jain isn’t the only one opposing the government’s decision. Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman of the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) called the move “extremely detrimental to the vision of Digital India". “Consumption will be stymied and our domestic consumption target of $80 billion (Rs. 6 lakh crore) by 2025 will not be achieved. We will fall short by at least 2 lakh crore. This was time for statesmanship, especially when the country is going through a crisis and as a nation, we have fallen short," Mahindroo said in a statement to the Indian Express.

    Smartphone sellers in India have been struggling to keep supplies up due to shutdowns in China caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic. While factories have reopened in China since, they are currently operating at sub-optimal levels since many workers haven’t returned to work yet.

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Prasid Banerjee
    An engineering dropout, Prasid Banerjee has reported on technology in India for various publications. He reports on technology through text and audio, focusing on its core aspects, like consumer impact, policy and the future.
    Catch all the Corporate news and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
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    Updated: 14 Mar 2020, 09:17 PM IST
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