Meeting Apple's demand is going to be tougher under GST

Apple earlier asked the government for a 15-year exemption on countervailing duty (CVD) on imported components, but as the country plans to roll out the goods and services tax (GST) in the coming financial year, it seems the company’s demands will remain unfulfilled.

"There is no way we can give individual exemptions under GST regime. All of them (CVD exemptions) will go. Make in India will ga big boost. We have been unfair to local industry. I don't know what exactly is Apple's demand as DIPP (Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion) is dealing with them. But we have limitations on giving exemptions under GST," revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia told ET.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier tweeted a media report on Saturday that Apple would start making iPhones in Bengaluru soon. However, people familiar with the matter have said the company is still in talks with the government over concessions regarding local manufacturing.

When asked about the final call on IGST exemption, Adhia said the decision would lie with the GST Council.