New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled structural reforms for various sectors to help build a self-reliant India under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Campaign, today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Tuesday in his address to the nation announced a special economic package equivalent to 10 per cent of India’s GDP, amounting to Rs 20 lakh crore.
Addressing a media briefing in New Delhi, Finance Minister in her announcement of the fourth tranche of measures to address the economic situation in the country, due to COVID-19, outlined structural reforms with focus on eight sectors of coal, minerals, defence production, civil aviation, power distribution companies, space sector and atomic energy.
In a major announcement, Ms Sitharaman informed that, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in defence manufacturing under automatic route will be raised from 49 per cent to 74 per cent.
With an aim to boost Make in India, Finance Minister announced that a list of weapons or their parts would no longer be imported and their indigenous production will be ensured within the country. Government will notify year-wise timelines to ban such imports.
In another historic structural reform announced by Ms Sitharaman, Corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board to improve autonomy, accountability and efficiency among Ordnance Suppliers was done.
| JSPL, Chairman, Naveen Jindal whole heartedly welcome the announcements made by FM Nirmala Sitharaman and Anurag Thakur today
“We whole heartedly welcome the announcements made by FM Nirmala Sitharaman and Anurag Thakur today. These well thought out reforms reflect that Govt is well abreast of ground realities. These measures will help steer our economy out of the present situation caused by pandemic Covid19. We are proud of the fact the JSPL is the first company in India to build the coal gasification plant and the first in the world to produce DRI/Steel via coal gasification process. We have been requesting for a long time and last year Hon’ble PM too had stressed on it’s importance. The CGP process definitely helps steel makers in producing steel using swadeshi coal truly leading to Atma Nirbhar Bharat. India has third largest reserves of coal in the world. It’s gasification can help our country overcome the perennial shortage of Oil, Gas, Methanol, Ammonia and Urea. Apart from reducing CAD by minimising unnecessary imports, this would also create employment for millions in the country, boosting the economy and encouraging clean coal technologies that use coal in an environment friendly manner,” Naveen Jindal, Chairman , Jindal Steel & Power Limited.
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Finance Minister announced private sector participation in coal sector through a revenue sharing mechanism. She added that this will introduce competition and transparency in the coal sector. This will also enable bidding for a coal block and selling it in the open market by private entities. Ms. Sitharaman informed that 50 blocks will be available for bidding at the earliest. A detailed roadmap for investment of Rs 50 thousand crore towards development of Infrastructure for evacuation of coal has also been outlined.
Finance Minister said, the government is set to introduce a seamless composite exploration-cum-mining-production regime in the country. She added that 500 mining blocks will be offered through an open and transparent auction process.
Informing about a relief of 5 thousand crore to the Coal India Limited Consumers by allowing concession in the commercial terms, Ms. Sitharaman added, the sectoral reforms for mining of minerals will boost growth, employment and bring state-of-the-art technology in the field of exploration in the country.
Announcing a much awaited sectoral reform in the aviation section, Finance Minister highlighted the issue of only 60 per cent of the Indian airspace being available for commercial flights. She announced easing of restrictions on further utilisation of the air space. The decision will rope in a benefit of Rs 1000 crore for the aviation sector as it will drastically reduce the time and fuel consumed by the commercial flights.
Finance Minister added that six more airports will be put up for auction under the PPP model for their operation and management. Ms. Sitharaman announced that an additional investment of Rs 12 thousand crore is expected in the 12 airports already proposed for development by the private players.
She said the government will rationalise the tax regime for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MROs) of the Aircrafts in the country. Earlier, the aircrafts had to fly abroad for the MROs.
Ms. Sitharaman informed that the government will release a tariff policy with reforms, including consumer rights, promotion of industry and sustainability of sector for the power distribution companies. She also announced the proposal to privatise the power departments in Union Territories ensuring better services and efficiency in power distribution.
In another major reform, Finance Minister announced that, the government will boost private sector investments in social-infrastructure projects, like hospitals. The total outlay for this has been projected to be at Rs 8 thousand crore after an increase in the Viability Gap Share to 30 per cent in all such projects.
Opening up Indian space sector, the Minister announced, boosting up of private participation in space related activities.
A major push to the decision is aimed at by allowing private sector to use ISRO facilities and other relevant assets to improve their capabilities. Future projects for planetary exploration and outer space travel has also been opened to the private sector. This will also witness liberalisation of geo-spatial data policy for providing remote-sensing data to tech-entrepreneurs, which in turn will open up wide horizon of avenues.
In a major sectoral reform for the atomic energy sector, Finance Minister announced establishment of research reactors on PPP basis for production of medical isotopes. This decision will lead to opening up of various affordable treatment facilities for cancer and other major diseases.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Finance Minister announced a slew of measures to help the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Financial Institutions, real estate, Discoms in rural areas, Tax Payers and Provident Fund Subscribers.
In her second announcement on Thursday the focus lied on migrant workers, street vendors, small traders, self-employed people and small farmers.
Yesterday’s announcement saw major relief packages for agriculture and allied activities.
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