Infrastructure sector is a key driver for the Indian economy. The sector is highly responsible for propelling India’s overall development and enjoys intense focus from Government for initiating policies that would ensure time-bound creation of world class infrastructure in the country. Infrastructure sector includes power, bridges, dams, roads and urban infrastructure development.
Recent Developments The Industrial sector in India, including construction, is an important contributor to the growth with the sector accounting for 31.1% of the total Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2016-17. A strong and a robust industrial and manufacturing sector helps in promoting domestic production, exports and employment, all of which can be catalysts for higher growth in the economy. Baba Kalyani Committee Report on SEZ The Baba Kalyani led committee was constituted by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry in June, 2018 to study the existing SEZ policy of India. Recently, the committee submitted its report to the Union Minister for Commerce & Industry. The key recommendations of the Group are:
Recent Changes in IIP Series The basket of goods for Index of Industrial Production has been revised from the base year of 2004-05 to 2011-12. The methodological changes introduced are summarised as below:
Recent Status of Some Important Sectors of Indian Industry (a) MSME Sector
(b) Steel Sector
(c) Clothing and Textiles Sector
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(a) Make in India
(b) Start-up India
(c) Ease of Doing Business
(d) Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy
(e) National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)
The NIIF is being operationalized by establishing 3 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) under the SEBI Regulations. NIIF has mandate to solicit equity participation from strategic anchor partners, like overseas sovereign/quasi-sovereign/multilateral/bilateral investors.
1st Investment by NIIF National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) has made its First investment on January 22, 2018. NIIF has partnered with DP World to create an investment platform for ports, terminals, transportation and logistics businesses in India. The platform will invest in opportunities in the ports sector, and beyond sea ports into areas such as river ports and transportation, freight corridors, port-led special economic zones, inland container terminals, and logistics infrastructure including cold storage. |
(f) Operation Khanij Khoj
(g) National Capital Goods Policy, 2016
The National Capital Goods Policy, 2016 gives an impetus to the capital goods sector and a leg up to the Make in India initiative. This is for the first time that a national policy has been framed for the sector.
The aim of the policy is to create game changing strategies for the capital goods sector. Some of the key issues addressed include Availability of Finance, Raw Material, Innovation and Technology, Productivity, Quality and Environment Friendly Manufacturing Practices, Promoting Exports and Creating Domestic Demand.
Policy Recommendations: Key policy recommendations include strengthening the existing scheme of the Department of Heavy Industry (DHI) on enhancement of competitiveness of Capital Goods Sector by increasing budgetary allocation for increasing scope to further boost global competitiveness in various sub sectors of CG. The aim is to enhance the export of Indian made capital goods through a ‘Heavy Industry Export & Market Development Assistance Scheme (HIEMDA)’.
(h) Mining Surveillance System (MSS)
(i) National Mineral Exploration Policy, 2016
Draft National Mineral Policy, 2018 Key Highlights
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(j) National Data Repository
The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has set up a National Data Repository in November, 2018, which is database of all geo-scientific data of hydrocarbon resources in the country.
Key goals of NDR
An industrial corridor aims to create an area with a cluster of manufacturing or other industry. Such corridors are often created in areas that have pre-existing infrastructure, such as ports, highways and railroads.
Industrial Corridors in India
The Government is developing or planning to develop 5 Industrial Corridors in the country, as follows:
Present Status of SEZs in India
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