The Soybean Processors Association of India, popularly known as SOPA, is the only national level body representing the soybean processors, farmers, exporters and brokers in India working towards the aim to strengthen soybeans as a viable crop. The main objective of SOPA is to encourage the development and promotion of soy-based products in the interest of the farmeras well as the processors.

In its pre budget 2012-13 memorandum SOPA has proposed to bring the Custom Duty on crude Soya Oil to be brought NIL from 15% at present. Meanwhile, the association has requested to increase the Custom Duty of Refined Soya Oil to 22.5% against 7.5% at present or at-least raise each by 10% to offset local taxes paid by domestic producers vis-a-vis importers to have a level playing field. The association feels that this will increase better capacity utilization by solvent extraction units & refineries in the county.

Further, SOPA has proposed to levy 15% customs duty on import of Crude Soya Oil, 22.5%

As an apex industry body, ASSOCHAM represents the interests of industry and trade, interfaces with Government on policy issues and interacts with counterpart international organizations to promote bilateral economic issues. ASSOCHAM is represented on all national and local bodies and is, thus, able to pro-actively convey industry viewpoints, as also communicate and debate issues relating to public-private partnerships for economic development. ASSOCHAM members represent sectors like Trade (National and International), Industry (Domestic and International), Professionals (e.g. CAs, lawyers, consultants), Trade and Industry Associations and other Chambers of Commerce.

ASSOCHAM in its pre budget memorandum for Union Budget 2012-13 has recommended the following:

• Excise duty and Service tax rates should be retained at the current level of 10.3%

• They have recommended to give priority to tax reform particularly in introduction of GST which will accelerate economic growth and will also bring

ALLOY STEEL — A VALUE ADDED PRODUCT

Ours is an industry association representing alloy and stainless steel (long products) sector of the steel industry. Though alloy steel (including stainless steel) constitutes only approx. 10% of the overall  annual steel production in terms of quantity, its share is approx. 20% in terms of value since the products are substantially value added for specific end uses.  Alloy steel in fact is not "commodity" or "merchant" steel like carbon steel plates and sheets or carbon steel building and construction steel material popularly known as Mild Steel. Alloy steels are specifically produced for use in sophisticated  engineering products for various critical applications such as machined components, engine parts, steering components and bearings and the like for the automobile industry.

The customs duty on import of alloy steel in India, till sometime back, used to be 50% higher than that on merchant steel products. In a sense, alloy steel was more at par