Governance Structure: Manufacturing Telecom and Networking Products in India
The government of India has implemented several industrial policies and initiatives to promote the growth and development of the telecom and networking sector. These policies and initiatives have played a crucial role in driving the sector’s growth and positioning it for success in the future.
One key policy initiative that has supported the growth of the telecom and networking sector in India is the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. The PLI scheme is a government of India initiative that aims to boost domestic manufacturing and increase exports in targeted sectors, including the telecom and networking sector. Under the PLI scheme, the government provides financial incentives to companies that invest in the sector, including subsidies, tax breaks, and other benefits. The scheme is designed to encourage companies to invest in the sector and create jobs and has successfully attracted many significant investors to the sector.
Another key policy initiative that has supported the growth of the telecom and networking sector in India is the liberalization of the sector and the opening up of the market to foreign investment. In the past, India’s telecom and networking sector was heavily regulated and restricted to domestic investors. However, in recent years, the government has taken steps to open up the sector and encourage foreign investment.
In addition to these policy initiatives, the government of India has also implemented several other policies and initiatives to support the growth of the telecom and networking sector. These include establishing special economic zones, tax incentives for companies that invest in the sector, and support for research and development.
Governmental Organizations Involved
India’s telecom and networking sector is governed by several government organizations, each of which plays a specific role in regulating and promoting the sector. These organizations work together to ensure that the sector is well-regulated, operates efficiently, and serves the needs of customers and the broader society.
One key government organization involved in India’s telecom and networking sector is the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is responsible for formulating and implementing policies and programs related to the telecom and networking sector and works to promote the growth and development of the sector. The Ministry also regulates the sector and works closely with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to ensure that the sector is well-regulated and operates in the interests of consumers.
One of the primary functions of TRAI is to formulate policies and regulations for the telecom sector. This includes setting tariffs for various telecom services, ensuring fair competition among service providers, and promoting the development of new technologies.
TRAI also plays a crucial role in protecting the interests of consumers. It has the authority to investigate complaints and resolve disputes between service providers and consumers. It also has the power to issue directives and impose penalties on service providers for non-compliance with regulations.
In addition to its regulatory functions, TRAI also conducts research and development activities to promote the growth and development of the telecom sector. It works closely with industry stakeholders, including service providers, manufacturers, and research institutions, to identify areas of growth and innovation in the sector.
Another critical government organization involved in India’s telecom and networking sector is the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The DoT is responsible for the administration and regulation of the telecom sector in India and works to ensure that the sector operates efficiently and effectively. The DoT also plays a role in setting standards and issuing licenses to telecom companies and works to ensure that the sector is well-equipped to meet the growing demand for telecom and networking services.
In addition to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the DoT, a number of other government organizations are involved in the telecom and networking sector in India. These include the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), which is responsible for the development and promotion of the electronics and IT industries in India, and the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), which is responsible for promoting the growth of industries in India, including the telecom and networking sector.
Application Procedure under the scheme to receive subsidies
The application procedure for receiving subsidies under the PLI scheme in the telecom and networking sector involves the following steps:
- Eligibility: The first step is determining whether a company is eligible to apply for the PLI scheme. To be eligible, a company must be engaged in producing telecom and networking products. It must meet certain criteria, such as minimum domestic value addition and export performance.
- Application: Once eligibility is confirmed, the company can apply for the PLI scheme by filling out the online application form on the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) website. The company will need to provide information about its products, its production and export performance.
- Evaluation: After the application submission, it will be evaluated by the relevant authorities, including MeitY and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). They will assess the application based on the criteria in the PLI scheme and decide whether to approve it.
- Approval: If the application is approved, the company will receive a letter of approval from the government outlining the terms and conditions of the PLI scheme and the financial incentives that it is eligible to receive.
- Implementation: Once the company has received the approval letter, it can start implementing its production plans and receiving the subsidies under the PLI scheme. The company will need to submit regular progress reports to the government to ensure that it meets the scheme’s targets.
Eligibility Criteria for Application
To be eligible for the PLI scheme in the telecom and networking sector, a company must meet the following criteria:
- Domestic value addition: The company must have a minimum level of domestic value addition, calculated as a percentage of the product’s value. The exact percentage required may vary depending on the specific product and production stage.
- Export performance: The company must have a proven track record of exporting telecom and networking products. The actual export performance required may vary depending on the specific product and production stage.
- Investment: The company must be willing to make a significant investment in increasing its production of telecom and networking products. The exact investment required may vary depending on the specific product and production stage.
- Market demand: The company must be able to demonstrate that there is sufficient market demand for its telecom and networking products.
It is important to note that the eligibility criteria for the PLI scheme may change over time, so it is advisable to check the latest guidelines and updates on the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) website before applying.
Amount of benefits that can be received from the government under the PLI scheme
Department of telecommunication has extended the Telecom and Networking Products PLI scheme to 42 beneficiary companies with a total committed outlay of Rs. 4,115 crores. Incremental production is expected to be around Rs. 2.45 lakh crore.
The amount of benefits that a company can receive under the PLI scheme depends on various factors, including the specific product being produced, the production stage, the level of domestic value addition and export performance, and the investment made by the company. The exact amount of benefits will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will be specified in the letter of approval issued by the government to the company.
In general, the benefits under the PLI scheme are structured as a percentage of the additional production plus sales achieved by the company over a certain period. The percentage may vary depending on the specific product and the production stage.
It is important to note that the benefits under the PLI scheme are subject to specific terms and conditions. The company must meet specific targets and milestones to receive the full benefits.
Anurag Dhole
Anurag Dhole is a Research Intern at Tatvita. Presently he is pursuing his bachelors in the Liberal Arts department at the Savitribai Phule Pune University.
