18^th June 2020 

Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman

Minister for Finance

Ministry of Finance

Government of India

North Block

New Delhi-110001

Hon’ble Finance Minister Madam,

Sub: Representation on the Eligibility of Service Exports from India Scheme (SEIS) benefit to Inbound Tour Operators 

IATO is National Apex Body of Indian Tourism and Travel Industry founded in 1982. It has over 1600 members covering all segments of Tourism Industry. All its active members are recognized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. 

I am forwarding you a copy of the representation which we have made on behalf of our members as most of their offices are closed due lockdown, to Director General, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India in response to notice received by some of our members from, Senior Intelligence Officer, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Zonal Unit Hyderabad dated 20^th May 2020. In the said letters, the senior officer has raised certain concerns on the eligibility of SEIS scrips granted to the tour operators who are members of IATO. A copy of said notice issued to one of the members of IATO, has been annexed as Annexure A.

As has been mentioned in our representation, SEIS scrips have been granted by DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) after a due verification of entire facts and after ensuring that the claims submitted by the tour operators meet the eligibility criteria laid out in the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20. The tour operators have explained their business model in detail from time to time and provided clarifications as required from the DGFT authorities.

As you are aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant impact on the tourism industry which is already bleeding due to travel restrictions as well as the slump in demand among travellers and this shall continue for the remaining part of the year. Most of the tour operators are under stress to remain floating in their business as they have no funds to survive. 

Prayer

We humbly request your intervention in the matter and request necessary directives may kindly be given to quash the investigations initiated by DRI, Hyderabad on its merit. Also Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, to decide in principle that SEIS benefits would be eligible to the tour operators on full value of foreign remittance received so that this industry does not face any further hardship.

Thanking you and with best regards, 

For and on behalf of Indian Association of Tour Operators

Sincerely, 

Pronab Sarkar

President

(M) 9811102111

Copy to: -

Shri Anurag Singh Thakur

Minister of State (Finance and Corporate Affairs)

Ministry of Finance, Government of India

North Block, New Delhi - 110001

Shri Ajay Bhushan Pandey

Revenue Secretary & Ex-Officio Secretary to the GST Council

Ministry of Finance, Government of India 

North Block, New Delhi 110001

Dr. Anup Wadhawan

Secretary Commerce

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

Government of India

Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi

Mr. Amit Yadav

Director General

Directorate General of Foreign Trade

Udyog Bhawan, H-Wing, 

New Delhi – 110011

Mrs. Suman Sharma

Additional Director General of Foreign Trade

(Central Licensing Area)

Government of India

I.P. Bhawan, “A” Wing, I.P. Estate

New Delhi – 110002

Mr. Maneck Daver

Chairman

Service Export Promotion Council

3rd Floor, 6A/6, NCHF Building,

Siri Fort Institutional Area,

August Kranti Marg

New Delhi-110049

Mrs. Meenakshi Sharma

Director General (Tourism)

Ministry of Tourism

Government of India 

Transport Bhawan

New Delhi – 110001

Mrs. Rupinder Brar

Additional Director General (Tourism)

Ministry of Tourism, 

Government of India

Transport Bhawan

New Delhi - 110001