Monday, July 15, 2013: The recent announcement from the PMO putting on hold certain clauses of the Preferential Market Access Policy applicable to telecom operators has come as a great disappointment to the domestic telecom and electronics industry. This step conveys a negative signal to the industry as the same is contrary to all the announcements and intents being espoused for rapid expansion of manufacturing at the top level of the government.
It is a common knowledge that the Indian electronics sector is struggling to find its feet and provides a great opportunity for Indian manufacturing to contribute significantly to the growth and prosperity of our economy. The industry also questions as to how blocking implementation of a policy will enhance security of the country when the very purpose for its formulation was to enhance national security. Unfortunately this hesitation in implementing a
policy framed in national interest, is likely to cause confusion in the minds of the investing community and defeat its very purpose.
“ELCINA has always supported PMA and we firmly believe that it is a fair policy which gives domestic as well as global players an equal opportunity to service the Indian market. We also believe that the policy provides a level playing field to manufacturers across the world and would be compatible with WTO norms. We urge the government to stand firm against international pressures which are largely due to short term commercial interests of a few powerful lobbies,” points out Rajoo Goel, secretary general, ELCINA Electronic Industries Association of India.
A supportive eco-system is being created under the National Electronics Policy which can be a game changer for all stake-holders and would give us an opportunity to strengthen the domestic electronics value chain. Any rethink or signal of hesitation from the government at this stage can cause immense damage to the momentum created by the M-SIPS, EMC and PMA policies. “We appeal to the government not to impede this virtuous cycle which is gaining strength for the first time after many decades of sluggish growth of electronics hardware in the country. ELCINA urges that a clarification may be issued and further transparency brought about in the process of implementation of this policy, as deemed fit by the PMO without delay,” he adds.
Electronics Bazaar, South Asia’s No.1 Electronics B2B magazine
