New Delhi,
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday announced a hike in customs duty on mobile phones to 20 per cent from 15 per cent in a bid to boost local value addition in domestic electronics manufacturing.

Presenting the Union Budget 2018-19, Jaitley said he was making a “calibrated departure” from the usual practice of reduction in customs duties.

He said this is being done in view of the “substantial potential” for domestic value addition in sectors like food processing, electronics, auto components and footwear.

The move will lead to creation of more jobs in the country, Jaitley added. “To further intensify domestic value addition and Make in India (programme) in these sectors, I propose to increase the customs duty on certain items… I propose to increase customs duty on mobile phones to 20 per cent from 15 per cent and on some other parts and accessories to 15 per cent,” he said.

Commenting on the decision, Indian Cellular Association (ICA) National President Pankaj Mohindroo told PTI that this will be the “last nail in the coffin” of imports.

“We are reaching a situation where imports would be nearly impossible,” Mohindroo added. He said since bulk of mobile phones is manufactured domestically, there will be no impact on their prices. The exception will be a few brands, which are still making phones overseas.

“There will be no increase in mobile phone prices since 81 per cent of the volume and 84.5 per cent of value is manufactured in India and we will cross 90 per cent in both terms in 2018,” he explained noting that the government seems to be determined to increase value addition in domestic manufacturing.