| The Government-appointed Anwarul Hoda committee to formulate a replacement for the existing duty entitlement passbook (DEPB) scheme has submitted its report to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
The four-member committee is understood to have recommended that the validity of the DEPB scheme be extended by three more years pending certain Constitutional issues, sources in the Government said.
"The committee's report has been submitted three days back," the sources said, adding that it was now for the Government to take a final call on whether to extend the validity of the scheme or not.
The DEPB scheme serves 30 per cent of the merchandise exports of the country in value terms. In fiscal 2006-07, the country's merchandise exports are expected to touch about $125 billion.
The Finance Ministry has already notified that the existing DEPB scheme would be valid only up to March 31.
With less than 45 days to go before the expiry of the existing DEPB scheme and no replacement scheme having been formulated, the exporting community is anxious about the post-March scenario.
"Unless the Government makes public its intention on this front, it would be difficult for exporters to do costing for future export orders," the sources said.
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