A DIPP secretary headed panel had favored waiving the mandatory local sourcing requirement for the US-based firm. Explaining her position on Apple’s proposal, Sitharaman said, the ministry is not talking about changing the rule for manufacturing and “we are just saying let’s be clear on single-brand retailing”. Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said her ministry has taken a line that the 30 per cent local sourcing requirement can be waived off for high-end technology products. The Finance Ministry is against relaxing the 30 per cent domestic sourcing norms, as sought by iPhone and iPad maker Apple as a pre-condition to setting up single-brand retail stores in the country. Apple CEO Tim Cook Apple CEO Tim CookTo seek more clarity, the Commerce Ministry will discuss the issue of exempting Apple from local sourcing norms with the Finance Ministry, which has rejected the proposal, even as the former is against allowing the iPhone maker to sell refurbished handsets in the country.

Source: Indian Express May 30, 2016 14:26 UTC