DPIIT
Focuses on Advancing Industrial Growth and Empowering Local Economy in 100 Days
Programme
·
Creation of 12 new world-class industrial smart cities as part of the National
Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP). With a budget of ₹28,602
crore, these cities will be built around next-generation technologies that seamlessly
integrate across various infrastructure sectors.
·
A network of 20 smart industrial hubs across the country.
·
Designed on the ‘plug-n-play’ and ‘walk-to-work’ models
·
Generate 1 million direct jobs, additional 3 million indirect jobs, and with
an investment potential of Rs 1.5lakh crore
The Department for Promotion of Industry
and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has announced several significant initiatives aligning
with the government's focus on investment, industrial expansion, and the 'Make in
India' initiative, further strengthening India’s position as a global manufacturing
and investment hub during the first 100 days of this Government. Below are some
of the key highlights:
World-Class Industrial Smart Cities Approved
The Union Cabinet approved the creation
of 12 new world-class industrial smart cities as part of the National Industrial
Corridor Development Programme (NICDP). With a budget of ₹28,602 crore, these
cities will be built around next-generation technologies that seamlessly integrate
across various infrastructure sectors. These projects add to the 8 previously approved
cities, forming a network of 20 smart industrial hubs across the country.
These cities spanning 8 states are designed
on the ‘plug-n-play’ and ‘walk-to-work’ models, offering modern industrial facilities
and lifestyle amenities. Once completed, these cities are expected to generate 1
million direct jobs, additional 3 million indirect jobs, and with an investment
potential of Rs 1.5lakh crore, will significantly uplift the socio-economic fabric
of these regions.
Boosting Local Artisans through PM Ekta
Mall Initiative
The PM Ekta Mall initiative aims to strengthen
the ‘Make in India’ mission while promoting the ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP)
scheme. This initiative is designed to foster national integration and boost the
local economy by providing artisans and rural manufacturers with a platform to showcase
and sell their unique products. With nine states having completed the foundation
stone-laying ceremonies, the construction of PM Ekta Malls in other states is progressing
rapidly. Additionally, Jammu & Kashmir and Puducherry have received in-principle approval for the development of these malls.
By enhancing the market presence of indigenous
products, PM Ekta Malls are expected to generate employment opportunities, promote
rural artisanship, and create a sustained demand for locally produced goods, further
advancing India’s self-reliance agenda.
Public Procurement (Make in India) Order
2024
This policy mandates that all items with
sufficient domestic production capacity must be sourced from local suppliers for
all Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) or turnkey projects. The initiative
is a significant boost for Indian manufacturers, providing them with increased market
access and support to key industries while reducing import dependency.
By promoting local value addition, this
policy aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative,
which seeks to empower Indian manufacturers, increase domestic employment, and reduce
the country's reliance on foreign products. This policy is expected to have far-reaching
benefits for local industries, boosting production capacity across sectors.
Restructuring of Invest India for Global
Expansion
DPIIT has undertaken a major revamp of
Invest India, the national investment promotion and facilitation agency. The restructuring
focuses on creating a more agile, efficient team tasked with achieving ambitious
targets in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. One of the major highlights
of this effort is the international expansion of Invest India, with offices already
inaugurated in Singapore and being expanded to Dubai, Zurich, and Saudi Arabia.
These offices will offer a one-stop solution for investors by providing access to
all necessary information and clearances directly at their doorstep.
This international presence is expected
to attract significant investments into India. Already, Invest India has facilitated
$300 million in investments across sectors such as automotive, chemicals, and textiles,
with companies like Hyundai Wia, Lubrizol, and Gestamp
Automotive India making substantial commitments in Maharashtra and Gujarat. This
marks a new chapter in India’s investment landscape, reinforcing the country's position
as a global investment destination.
Unlocking 60,000 Acres of Salt Lands for
National Development
DPIIT issued new guidelines for the transfer
of approximately 60,000 acres of unused and unproductive salt lands for productive
and public purposes. These lands will be transferred on easy terms to central government
ministries, state governments, and public sector enterprises for various national
development projects. This includes land transfers for biodiversity conservation,
eco-sensitive projects, renewable energy, and affordable housing, among others.
This initiative not only unlocks valuable
land resources but also prevents encroachment and litigation, ensuring that these
lands are utilised for the nation’s industrial and infrastructural development.
Projects like port expansions, eco-tourism, and aquaculture are expected to benefit
from these new guidelines.
Rapid Growth of Digital Commerce through
ONDC
The Open Network for Digital Commerce
(ONDC) has witnessed tremendous growth, facilitating 12.6 million transactions in
August 2024—a 300% increase over the previous year. With over 6 lakh sellers and
service providers offering more than 3 crore products across 1,200 cities, ONDC
is transforming the digital commerce landscape. This initiative democratises digital
commerce by providing small retailers and kirana stores
with access to digital tools, enabling them to compete in the growing e-commerce
market.
ONDC plays a pivotal role in bringing
digital commerce to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, empowering local entrepreneurs, and
creating a balanced growth story for both small retail outlets and large e-commerce
platforms.
Taking PM GatiShakti
to the District Level
As part of the PM GatiShakti initiative, DPIIT has launched
the District Master Plan (DMP) platform, which will extend the benefits of GatiShakti to the district level. These digital portals will
enable seamless planning and development of social and economic infrastructure in
every district. By mid-September 2024, 28 districts will have DMP portals, with
the rest of the country to follow by March 2025.
Additionally, a State-of-the-Art Experiential
Centre for PM GatiShakti and the One District One Product
(ODOP) scheme has been developed at the ITPO Complex in New Delhi. Using cutting-edge
technologies like a 270-degree screen and holographic displays, the centre will
raise awareness about these initiatives and showcase their success.
Decriminalisation of Key Intellectual
Property (IP) Acts
Three key Intellectual Property Acts related
to Patents, Trademarks, and Geographical Indications were decriminalised as part
of the Jan Vishwas Bill. This move is expected to simplify compliance and enforcement
processes under these Acts, fostering innovation and creativity in India’s intellectual
property landscape.
Further, India introduced the world’s
first Certificate of Inventorship, which recognizes and rewards inventors whose
research has resulted in patents. This non-monetary recognition is a significant
motivator for the scientific community, encouraging further innovation and creativity
in solving grassroots issues.
Encouraging Quality Consciousness through
Reforms
In a bid to make India a quality-conscious
nation, DPIIT has introduced several reforms, including changes to the National
Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation
process. This includes extending the accreditation cycle from two to four years
and offering subsidies for women-led laboratories. Furthermore, Quality Control
Orders (QCOs) have been issued for the leather and footwear sectors to ensure compliance
with high manufacturing standards and promote exports.
DPIIT has also launched initiatives like
Gunvatta Gurukul, a finishing school aimed at empowering
young professionals to contribute to India's development journey through quality
initiatives. These efforts are creating a robust framework for quality manufacturing,
reducing low-quality imports, and promoting the ‘Make in India’ brand.
Angel Tax Exemption to Boost Startups
One of the significant barriers to startup investments, the Angel Tax, was removed in the Union
Budget 2024-25. This tax, which applied to investments exceeding fair market value,
particularly burdened startups. Its removal is expected
to foster early-stage investments, especially from foreign investors, thereby catalysing
growth in emerging sectors like AI, clean energy, and deep tech.