Applications Invited from Drone Industry for Production Linked
Incentive
· Deadline for Application: 31st March 2022
[ABS News Service/11.03.2022]
The Government has invited applications
from drone industry for Production Linked Incentive (PLI).
PLI scheme was notified on 30th
September 2021. The total incentive is INR 120 crore spread over three financial
years, which is nearly double the combined turnover of all domestic drone manufacturers
in FY 2020-21.The PLI rate is 20% of the value addition, one of the highest among
PLI schemes. The value addition shall be calculated as the annual sales revenue
from drones and drone components (net of GST) minus the purchase cost (net of GST)
of drone and drone components. PLI rate has been kept constant at 20% for all three
years, an exceptional treatment for drones
As per the scheme, Minimum value
addition norm is at 40% of net sales for drones and drone components instead of
50%, an exceptional treatment for drones. Eligibility norm for MSME and startups
is at nominal levels.
Coverage of the scheme includes
developers of drone-related software also. PLI for a manufacturer shall be capped
at 25% of total annual outlay. This will allow widening the number of beneficiaries.
In case a manufacturer fails to meet the threshold for the eligible value addition
for a particular financial year, she will be allowed to claim the lost incentive
in the subsequent year if she makes up the shortfall in the subsequent year.
The application form is of one
page only, along with the certificate from the head of organisation
and the statutory auditor. More than one company within a Group of Companies may
file separate applications under this PLI scheme and the same shall be evaluated
independently. However, the total PLI payable to such applicants shall be capped
at 25% of the total financial outlay under this PLI scheme.Deadline
for submission of application form is 2359 hours on 31st March 2022.
Government order for PLI application
is at – https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/sites/default/files/Application_for_PLI_scheme_for_drones_and_drone_components.pdf. PLI application form is at - https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/application-pli-scheme
The Central Government has undertaken
a series of measures to promote India’s upcoming drone industry, such as:
·
Liberalised Drone Rules, 2021 has been notified on 25th
August 2021
·
Drone Airspace
Map has been published on 24th September 2021, opening up nearly 90%
of Indian airspace as a green zone for drone flying up to 400 feet
·
Production-Linked
Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones has been notified on 30th September
2021
·
UAS Traffic
Management (UTM) Policy Framework has been published on 24th October
2021
·
Monetary
grant program for purchase of agricultural drones was announced by the Union Agriculture
Ministry on 22nd January 2022.
·
All five
application forms under Drone Rules, 2021 have been made online on the DigitalSky Platform on 26th January 2022
·
Drone certification
scheme has been notified on 26th January 2022, making it easier to obtain
type certificate by drone manufacturers
·
Mission ‘Drone
Shakti’ has been announced for supporting drone startups and promoting Drone-as-a-Service
(DrAAS) as part of the Union Budget on 1st
February 2022
·
Drone import
policy has been notified on 9th February 2022, banning import of foreign
drones and freeing up import of drone components
·
Drone (Amendment)
Rules, 2022 has been notified on 11th February 2022, abolishing the requirement
of a drone pilot licence.
·
15 drone
schools across the country have been approved by DGCA as on 28th February
2022. More are on the anvil.