The US on Monday challenged the domestic content requirement of India's solar mission, which it alleged is discriminatory and against international norms, including WTO laws, and badly affects the American domestic solar panel manufacturing industry. 

As the US Trade Representative, Mike Froman, announced his decision, officials argued that they have been forced to take a measure so as to protect some American 10,000 jobs in its solar industry and to have a significant pie in the second largest solar market of the world. 

Froman said the US has requested WTO dispute consultations with India concerning domestic content requirements in Phase II of India's Solar Mission. 

These domestic content requirements discriminate against US solar cells and modules by requiring solar power developers participating in Phase II to use Indian-manufactured solar cells and modules instead of US or other imported equipment, Froman said. 

"These domestic content requirements discriminate against US exports by requiring solar power developers to use Indian-manufactured equipment instead of US equipment. These unfair requirements are against WTO rules, and we are standing up today for the rights of American workers and businesses," Froman alleged. 

"We also take this action in support of the rapid global deployment of renewable energy. These types of 'localisation' measures not only are an unfair barrier to US exports, but also raise the cost of solar energy, hindering deployment of solar energy around the world, including in India," Froman told reporters at a news conference. 

He said in October 2013, India's cabinet approved measures governing the implementation of Phase II of the its National Solar Mission (NSM). For solar projects under Phase II, India is again imposing domestic content requirements, under which solar power developers must use Indian-manufactured solar cells and modules instead of US or other imported equipment. 

Moreover, the Phase II domestic content requirements have been expanded to cover thin film technology, which was exempt from such requirements under Phase I. As thin film currently comprises the majority of US solar product exports to India, these domestic content requirements are likely to cause even greater harm to US producers than under Phase I, the top US official said.

A request for consultations is the first step in the WTO dispute settlement process, and consultations are intended to help parties find a solution at this stage. Under WTO rules, if the matter is not resolved through consultations within 60 days of the request, the US may ask the WTO to establish a dispute settlement panel.

Froman said before going public, the US has informed the Indian Government officials in Delhi, Geneva and Washington. There was no initial response from India. 

Champion Computers Pvt Ltd (CCPL) has entered into a strategic alliance with state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to roll out a slew of BSNL co-branded products which include smart phone models, Tablet PCs, data cards (dongles) and wireless networking products. These products will be available in the market in the next few weeks.

These products are going to be winners in their respective categories, in all aspects, features, product quality, price accessibility & functionality pan-India including remote regions.
Feature Phones: Total of 3 models that would be available at an attractive price range of Rs 1300 – 2000. These stylish phones would come with bundled data & voice options from BSNL worth Rs 1500 which would go on to make the phone virtually free for the customer.
Smart Phones: Total of 9 models, available in 3.5”, 4”, 4.5”and 5” screen size, the smart phones come at a very competitive price range starting at Rs 3999 toRs13000 which will be available soon. At such amazing price points these Smart phones would have a host of top-end features which would make them runaway bestsellers.
Phablets: Screen size – 5.3”with Android 4.2, quad-core 1.2GHZ processor and a 5.3” capacitive touch screen at only Rs. 13999. The phablet is ready to hit the market in the next couple of weeks. More models with bigger screen size to follow soon.Tablets: 7” with 2G and 3G data plans and 9.7”. The tablets come with a 500 MB 3G data plan from BSNL free for 12 months making it an irresistible deal for end consumers.
Data Cards: 7.2 mbps and 14.4 mbps. Price range- Rs 1500 – 1700.
This association would see Champion bringing in the technology and manufacturing skills while BSNL will address the connectivity issue through its wide reach across the country including far-flung & rural areas.
BSNL-Champion products would be available through the following 4 channels which are as follows- Online (e-commerce portals like Snapdeal, Flipkart, Jabong, e-bay), Multi-brand retail outlets / large format retail outlets, Traditional Distribution- Retail channels and BSNL retail / sales channels (franchisees).
With the extensive channel set up, Champion–BSNL products will cater to a wide audience pan-India and serve consumers better. All these products would be fully tested for Optimum Performance on BSNL network. Champion has appointed 3000 dealers across the country and has tied-up with 400 service centres for after-sales service.