Cabinet Nod to Modified Version of PLI Scheme, Rs 17,000 Crore Budget Set Aside for IT Hardware

Union IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday mentioned the Cabinet authorized the Production Linked Incentive Scheme 2.0 for IT {hardware} – overlaying laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs, servers and ultra-small type issue units – with a budgeted funding of Rs 17,000 crore. A model of this scheme was already in existence however after speaking to trade insiders and primarily based on suggestions, the central authorities has launched some modifications.

The modified Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme was authorized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The tenure of the programme is six years and expected investment is Rs 2,430 crore. We are also expecting the investment to be increased,” Vaishnaw mentioned.

He mentioned the anticipated incremental manufacturing was Rs 3 lakh 35 crore, whereas the anticipated incremental direct employment was 75,000. The PLI may additionally create 2,00,000 oblique jobs, he added.

“Along with electronics manufacturing, in the telecom sector two Indian companies have become important manufacturers in the world for complete radio equipment. The US, Germany and France are purchasing telecom equipment from India and, soon, the UK will too. This is the big picture in which we have to see the role of IT hardware,” the minister mentioned.

India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) applauded the revised PLI for IT {hardware} and is anticipating a big increase in home manufacturing and exports. The IT {hardware} trade is focused to achieve a manufacturing of $24 billion by 2025-26, with exports anticipated to be within the vary of $12-17 billion throughout the identical interval, the trade physique mentioned.

It additional mentioned the revised PLI was anticipated to function a serious catalyst for each international and home firms aiming to determine or increase their IT {hardware} manufacturing operations in India. It additionally mentioned the scheme had made the funding standards extra versatile, extending it over a six-year interval as in comparison with the earlier four-year span. To additional incentivise localisation, further optionally available incentives have been launched, it added.

“The PLI 2.0 will ensure investments across the IT hardware value chain, demonstrating the government’s receptiveness to industry inputs and their determination to translate words into action,” mentioned Pankaj Mohindroo, chairman of ICEA.

He mentioned India at current imported a good portion of laptops and tablets for consumption. But this revised PLI scheme is not going to solely foster home manufacturing but additionally possible profit main international producers of IT {hardware} merchandise comparable to laptops and tablets, he added.

“We urge the global industry to acknowledge this and consider India as a crucial destination for manufacturing IT hardware products,” Mohindroo mentioned.

Anurag Awasthi, vice-president of the India Electronic and Semiconductor Association (IESA), informed News18 that the scheme coated all points of semiconductor manufacturing – PCBs, ATMPs, element manufacturing, contract manufacturing, show panels, reminiscence units, energy adapters and so forth – astutely and comprehensively.

“This well-structured, clear, flexible, deliberated and curated PLI 2.0 scheme will be a harbinger of nation building in India’s ‘techade’,” Awasthi mentioned.