Anand Sharma to Chair Manufacturing Industry Promotion Board

Anand Sharma to Chair Manufacturing Industry Promotion Board
Board of Approval, Green Manufacturing Committee and High Level Committee Also Notified
NMP Gets Moving with States Identifying Lands

In a big push to concretize the operational contours of the National Manufacturing Policy (NMP), the Government has established a Manufacturing Industry Promotion Board (MIPB) for matters pertaining to the implementation of the National Manufacturing Policy with the Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Anand Sharma in the Chair. Along with the MIPB the Government has also notified Board of Approval, Green Manufacturing Committee and High Level Committee. The Notifications were signed on 1st June, 2012. 

The MIPB will have Secretaries of Department of Economic Affairs; Revenue; Labour and Employment; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; Road Transport and Highways; Heavy Industry & Public Enterprises; Science & Technology; Environment and Forests; Member-Secretary, National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council There will be two Industry representatives and Secretary Industry will be the Member Secretary of the Board. The Board may invite the Industry Ministers of the States concerned if required. 

The Board has been tasked to periodically review the overall situation of the manufacturing sector in the country. This will include review of State-wise/sector-wise performance of the manufacturing sector. The Board will also review the implementation of the National Manufacturing Policy in general and the development of NIMZs, wherever approved, in particular.High Level inter-ministerial nature of the Board will enable it to resolve co-ordination issues among central ministries on the one hand and state governments and central ministries on the other. 

Shri Anand Sharma informed the Board of Trade on First June that “all the states have been requested to identify land banks for establishing NIMZs. States like Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have shown active interest.” Kerala and Karnataka have identified the area for setting up NIMZs in their States. 

Another key mechanism i.e. the Board of Approval (BOA) for matters pertaining to the NMIZs has also been notified. The Board will examine applications for establishment of NIMZs and recommend such proposals for consideration to the High Level Committee (HLC) as are found to be meeting the requirements of the National Manufacturing Policy. After consideration by the HLC, the proposals will be put up for approval to Commerce and Industry Minister. 

The High Level Committee (HLC) under the Chairmanship of Secretary Industry with Secretaries from all the concerned Ministries and state governments has also been notified. 

A Green Manufacturing Committee (GMAC) for matters pertaining to the Policy on Technology Acquisition and Development Fund (TADF) under NMP has also been notified. The committee will prescribe objective criteria for categorizing a technology as “clean and green”. The criteria will be consistent with the objective of the national action plan on climate change and the strategy for inclusive sustainable development. The Committee Chaired by Secretary Industry will also constitute a panel of experts/agencies/environment auditors for the purpose of third party certification. This committee will operate and review the Technology Acquisition and Development Fund. It will formulate guidelines for the operation of the fund. 

The Government of India had announced the NMP with the objective of enhancing the share of manufacturing in GDP to 25% within a decade and creating 100 million jobs. The policy aims to create world class industrial infrastructure, a conducive business environment, an ecosystem for technological innovation – especially in the domain of green manufacturing, institutions for industry relevant skill upgradation, and mechanisms for easy access to finance for entrepreneurs.