![\"Centre](\"https:\/\/c.ndtvimg.com\/2023-08\/5ooi8qj_laptop-tablet-generic_625x300_05_August_23.jpg\"\/ "\\"Centre")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNew Delhi: <\/b><\/p>\n
In a relief for electronic companies, the government today deferred the plan to curb laptop and tablet imports by three months. Companies will have time until October 31 to secure a licence to import the devices, the government said in a notification.<\/p>\n
“Import consignments can be cleared till October 31 withouta licence and a government permit would be required for clearance of import from November 1,” the government said.<\/p>\n
It added that a “liberal transitional arrangement is provided for import of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, ultra-small form factor computers and servers … till October 31, 2023”.<\/p>\n
This is a partial reversal from a surprise decision on Thursday to impose the licensing requirement with immediate effect, which had prompted calls for a delay.<\/p>\n
The government said the restrictions were imposed for security reasons and the need to promote domestic manufacturing. The move will also curtail in-bound shipments of these goods from countries like China and Korea and also allow the Centre to keep a close watch on the locations from where the products are coming, officials said.<\/p>\n
Union IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar had said the move was aimed to “ensure trusted hardware and systems” and reduce dependence on imports.<\/p>\n
The announcement had caught the industry off guard, forcing tech giants to begin emergency engagements with the government about how to quickly obtain licenses at a period of heightened consumer interest with Diwali shopping season just around the corner.<\/p>\n
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