Government seeks redressal for IT sector concerns over US law: Minister of State for Commerce

The government said on Wednesday that it has taken up with US authorities the issue of adverse impact of the American legislation that levies higher visa fee on Indian IT companies.

The government has studied the impact of 'Border Security Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernisation Act 2013', which has provisions such as higher visa fee, higher wage requirements and enhanced audit by US agencies, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry E M Sudarsana Natchiappan said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

These provisions significantly impact Indian IT companies and their business model in the US, he said.

"The government has raised this issue at various levels with the US Government including ministerial level, diplomatic level, Commerce Secretary level and at various other bilateral meetings with the concerned authorities in the US highlighting the negative impact of the US legislation," the minister said.

Commerce Secretary has written to United States Trade Representative (USTR) apprising him of his concerns on the proposed legislation, he said.

"Our ambassador to the US has written to various US senators on this issue as well," he added.