On the completion of 9 years of the Modi Government, Union Minister of Heavy Industries Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey said that the robust policies of the Modi Government is building a strong &  Green India. He further added that the nation has been witnessing phenomenal rise under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Union Minister said that one of the important goals of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision is to make a self-reliant nation and that’s where the manufacturing sector has a vital role to play. The government has already highlighted the importance of the manufacturing sector through schemes like 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. He also told that the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) is working steadfastly towards building a self-reliant India and the positive results are also visible in this regard. Dr. Pandey added that it’s a matter of great pride that the manufacturing of many components has also started in the country for which we were earlier dependent on other nations. Along with this, new employment opportunities are also being created in many areas.

The Minister said that the Ministry of Heavy Industries has launched a PLI scheme to encourage domestic manufacturing of automobile auto components and Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) products with a budgetary support of Rs 25,938 crore. He further added that the nation is dependent on other countries for components like 'sunroof', automatic brakes, pollution warning system and tire pressure monitoring system, but the introduction of PLI scheme will give a big boost to the manufacturing of these components and will also generate 1.48 lakh jobs in the sector.

Dr. Pandey  said that under the Second Phase of 'Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME)' scheme launched in 2019, 5.80 lakh electric two wheelers, 74063 electric three wheelers, 6,784 electric four wheelers and 3,738 electric buses have been sold.  the commitment shown by the Modi Government has bought a  significant reduction in carbon emissions in the country today. He further stated that Electric Vehicles have also been instrumental in bringing down carbon emissions to 13,98,184 kg per day, while 34 crore litres of petrol and diesel have also been saved. 49 crore kgs of carbon emission have also been reduced as well.  In this way, due to the special initiative of the Modi government, there has been a reduction of 49 crore kg in carbon emissions in the country.  Dr. Pandey added that the Government has also tied up with three OMC’s to set up 7,432 charging stations for electric vehicles at petrol pumps on highways for which 800 crores have been sanctioned. 100 kW DC fast charger designed and developed by ARAI has also been launched to reduce the charging time for electric vehicle drivers.

MHI focused on the development of every Sector

The Minister also mentioned that India needs to be self-reliant and for this, it is necessary that imports should be reduced and the production & manufacturing of goods should be increased in the country and moving forward with this same mindset MHI has focused on the development of every sector.  The progress of AYCL, the only public sector enterprise of the Government of India in the tea industry, is underlining this fact. Andrew Yule & Company Limited (AYCL) has achieved an all-time high of 431% growth in tea exports over the previous year, he added.

Indigenous Weapons contributing to Navy’s Prowess

Dr. Pandey stated that  the super rapid cannon mounted on the warship of the Indian Navy is a sign of India becoming self-reliant in the defense sector. Equipped with smart ammunition manufactured by Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), it can easily achieve its target. The earlier gun could only hit targets 16 to 18 km away, while the advanced type Super Rapid Gun Mounts (SRGM) being  made now would be able to hit targets 32 to 35 km away. BHEL has so far supplied 44 canons to the Indian Navy and production is underway to give 54 more cannons.

BHEL to install electronic system in 80 Vande Bharat sleeper class trains

The Minister informed that BHEL has also bagged the order to supply 80 Vande Bharat sleeper class trains to the Indian Railways. The electronic systems to be installed in these trains will be manufactured by BHEL. He  stated  that the nation’s first Coal to Methanol (CTM) pilot plant manufactured by BHEL was dedicated to the nation in January, 2022.

27 projects worth Rs 909 crore sanctioned

The Minister said that to provide support for common technology development and service infrastructure the Ministry of Heavy Industry has notified the Scheme for Enhancing Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector Phase-I on 25 January, 2022.  The scheme has a total financial outlay of Rs 1207 crore including budgetary support of Rs 975 crore and industry contribution of Rs 232 crore. He mentioned  that under Phase-I of the Scheme for Enhancing Competitiveness in Indian Capital Goods Sector, a total of 27 projects with a project cost of Rs 909.38 crore have been approved so far and Rs 197.50 crore has already been sanctioned for the approved projects in FY 2022-23.

*****

AM/TFK