Latest news with #IndustrialPolicy
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Why has Tamil Nadu adopted a space sector policy?
The story so far: On April 17, the Tamil Nadu Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Chennai, approved the Space Industrial Policy, thereby following Karnataka and Gujarat in formulating a State-specific document to stimulate development and woo investments in the space sector, which encompasses satellite manufacturing, launch services, and satellite services. In 2023, the Union government came out with the Indian Space Policy 2023 to provide a framework to support the space ecosystem. How is Tamil Nadu placed? The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has established an ISRO propulsion complex (IRPC) in Mahendragiri of Tirunelveli district. Apart from handling and testing earth storable propellant engines, cryogenic engines and stages for launch vehicles, the IRPC conducts research and development (R&D) and technology development programmes. ISRO is also establishing the country's second spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi. This strategic initiative aims to enhance India's space capabilities and facilitate satellite launches. The State is also home to various space startups, which are working on subdomains such as launch vehicles, reusable launch vehicles, in-space refuelling, in-space manufacturing and multi-payload data fusion from satellites, as per the Space Industrial Policy. Additionally, the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tiruchi, hosts the southern region's Space Technology Incubation Centre (STIC), playing a pivotal role in undertaking developmental projects of the ISRO. What triggered the policy? The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), a body created by the Department of Space at the Centre for promoting, authorising and overseeing the activities of Non-Government Entities (NGEs) in the sector, had suggested to the State government to come out with a document, says a senior official. Even as the State government produced the Aerospace and Defence (A&D) Industrial Policy three years ago, it identified space as one of the priority areas. Additionally, the State has a vendor base with over 250 vendors catering to the requirements of the ISRO. The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IN-SPACe to enable startups and established companies to launch manufacturing related activities and services, design and R&D, strategic electronics manufacturing and space-grade components. What does Policy want to achieve? Aimed at attracting ₹10,000 crore investments in the next five years, the document, according to the government, may pave the way for the generation of direct and indirect employment for nearly 10,000 persons in the given period. The Policy has been prepared, keeping in mind the need for leveraging the State's strengths in electronics, precision manufacturing and related sectors, and integrating space technologies into Tamil Nadu's governance to improve citizens' quality of life. Space technologies have immense applications in departments such as disaster management, fisheries, agriculture, transport, revenue, health, and municipal administration. The State government would provide a payroll subsidy for companies that are involved in R&D or that would establish global capability centres in the space sector. The government will also notify select regions as Space Bays for offering structured packages of incentives to firms that plan to do investments below ₹300 crore. Additionally, space industrial park developers will be eligible for an industrial housing incentive of 10% on the cost of developing residential facilities within the industrial park over 10 years, subject to a ceiling of ₹10 crore. Those undertaking green and sustainable initiatives will be eligible for a 25% subsidy on the cost of capital for such initiatives, subject to a ceiling of ₹5 crore.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Setback for Himachal govt as HC quashes key clauses of industrial policy
Shimla: In a setback to the Himachal Pradesh govt, the state high court set aside clause 5B of The Himachal Pradesh Industrial Investment Policy, 2019' along with rule 4B(b) and 4(F) of the 'Rules Regarding Grant of Incentives, Concessions and Facilities for Investment Promotion in Himachal Pradesh-2019'. The court observed that these rules are inconsistent with the industrial policy and wrongfully deny a 15% promised rebate on electricity charges to industries due to "bureaucratic lethargy""The state govt cannot speak in two voices. Once the govt has taken a policy decision to extend certain benefits to the petitioner (industry), the same cannot be withheld simply for want of notification," held a division bench comprising Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Sushil Kukreja, in a judgment having wide ramifications. The bench, while allowing a petition moved by Kundlas Loh Udyog of Barotiwala in Solan district, directed the state govt to issue the enabling notification in terms of the incentive of a 15% concession in electricity charges under clause 16 (A) of the Industrial Policy, 2019 with effect from the date commercial production started by the petitioner within a period of four petitioner industrial unit had submitted before the high court that the state govt, on August 16, 2019, notified 'The Himachal Pradesh Industrial Investment Policy, 2019', assuring the eligible enterprises that they would be charged 15% less energy charges if they do substantial expansion in accordance with the 'Rules regarding Grant of Incentives, Concessions and Facilities for Investment Promotion in Himachal Pradesh-2019'. The petitioner said that despite fulfilling all the criteria under the policy and bringing the issue to the notice of the chief minister, the state govt has not fulfilled its promise to state govt took a stand that the petition is not maintainable as the petitioner industrial unit cannot claim the incentive of a concessional rate of electricity charges under Rule 16(i)(a) as a matter of right, and Rule 4-F specifically provides that incentives are provided under the discretionary powers of the state govt and do not create any claim or right against the govt. But, the division bench held that the state govt is bound by the promise so held out on the doctrine of promissory estoppel. "The doctrine of promissory estoppel consists of ingredients of promise and estoppel like equity. The doctrine has been introduced to reduce the rigor of the common law as well as the statutory law. Equitable estoppel yields a remedy in order to prevent unconscionable conduct on the part of the party who, having made a promise to another acts on it to his detriment, seeks to resile from the promise," emphasised the division bench also noted that it is not in dispute that the state industries department had itself issued the certificate of commercial production in favour of the petitioner industrial unit on Feb 12, 2021, wherein it is certified that the petitioner made a substantial investment of Rs 8.07 crore in plant and machinery and thus made a total expansion of Rs 17.18 crore, which was to the tune of 88.69% though the required eligibility as per the policy was only 25%. "The petitioner admittedly did substantial expansion in terms of the policy, but the state has failed to issue the enabling notification despite having promised to do so by virtue of words 'whichever is later' in clause 5 (B) of the policy and till the department is 'not issuing' the enabling notification, the rights of the petitioner under erstwhile clause 16 (A) are being withheld from the petitioner, even though no reasons for the same are forthcoming in the reply, which would only show bureaucratic lethargy," underlined the division 121166239 413 |
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Campaign to improve edu in govt schools approved
1 2 3 Raipur: The chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai-led cabinet on Wednesday approved the launch of the ' Mukhyamantri Shiksha Gunvatta Abhiyan ,' (CM Education Quality Campaign), which will be aimed at improving the quality of education in govt schools in the state. The programme will focus on classroom teaching reforms, active parent-teacher engagement, school performance audits, and training visits for teachers from underperforming schools. Detailed guidelines for the campaign will be issued by the school education Sai chaired the cabinet meeting at the Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan in Nava Raipur, where several important decisions were taken to improve education quality, boost industrial investment, and support artists and writers in financial Assistance For Artists & WritersThe cabinet increased the monthly pension for financially weak artists and writers from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000. This is the first hike in 12 years under the financial assistance scheme managed by the culture department. The number of beneficiaries is currently 162, and the total annual cost to the state is expected to rise from Rs 38.88 lakh to Rs 97.20 Allocation Made More Accessible For InvestorsTo promote investment and industrial growth, the cabinet approved amendments to the Chhattisgarh Industrial Land and Building Management Rules, 2015. The changes are intended to make the land allocation process more transparent and accessible for cabinet also approved several key amendments to the state's Industrial Policy 2024–30, which are aimed at increasing employment, promoting high-tech agriculture, strengthening education and training infrastructure, and encouraging investments across key Employing Locals Will Receive AidUnder the new policy, companies that employ local residents will receive financial support from the govt. This is expected to boost job creation for the youth across the modernize agriculture, the govt will now promote advanced techniques like hydroponics and aeroponics. Officials said that farmers will also benefit from the integration of automation and Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Additionally, the govt said that it will promote the establishment of quality universities to improve higher education standards. The state also plans to support sports academies and private training repair and service centers will be recognized in all development block groups, enhancing access to technical services in rural and semi-urban Threshhold For Building Hotels ReducedTourism is another key focus. The minimum investment threshold for building hotels and resorts in Bastar and Surguja regions has been reduced. This is expected to boost tourism and generate local employment in these tribal and forested textile sector will receive double the incentives for new investments—up to 200%—which will directly benefit tailors, embroiderers, and weavers across the state. To improve ease of doing business, a new logistics policy will be introduced, aiming to simplify freight movement and improve access. Special packages have been approved for sectors such as Global Capability Centers, defense and aerospace, as well as private industrial parks. The govt will increase infrastructure subsidies and encourage development of plug-and-play factory models to attract For Pvt CBSE Schools ApprovedTo improve the ease of living, the cabinet approved incentives for setting up private CBSE-affiliated schools with a minimum capacity of 500 students and mini malls with multiplexes in urban areas and nearby rural blocks that currently lack such facilities. The first three units established in these underserved areas will be treated as 'thrust sector' projects, receiving special definition of persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) has also been revised to expand their eligibility for welfare schemes.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh cabinet approves campaign for improved better quality of education in govt school
RAIPUR: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai cabinet on Wednesday approved the launch of the " Mukhyamantri Shiksha Gunvatta Abhiyan ," a campaign aimed at improving the quality of education in government schools. The programme will focus on classroom teaching reforms, active parent-teacher engagement, school performance audits, and training visits for teachers from underperforming schools. Detailed guidelines for the campaign will be issued by the School Education Department. Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai chaired the cabinet meeting at the Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan in Nava Raipur, where several important decisions were taken to improve education quality, boost industrial investment, and support artists and writers in financial distress. The cabinet increased the monthly pension for financially weak artists and writers from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000. This is the first hike in 12 years under the financial assistance scheme managed by the culture department. The number of beneficiaries is currently 162, and the total annual cost to the state is expected to rise from Rs 38.88 lakh to Rs 97.20 lakh. To promote investment and industrial growth, the cabinet approved amendments to the Chhattisgarh Industrial Land and Building Management Rules, 2015. The changes are intended to make the land allocation process more transparent and accessible for investors. The cabinet also approved several key amendments to the state's Industrial Policy 2024–30aimed at increasing employment, promoting high-tech agriculture, strengthening education and training infrastructure, and encouraging investments across key sectors. Under the new policy, companies that employ local residents will receive financial support from the government. This is expected to boost job creation for the youth across the state. To modernize agriculture, the government will now promote advanced techniques like hydroponics and aeroponics. Farmers will also benefit from the integration of automation and Internet of Things (IoT) technology, helping increase efficiency and productivity. The state also plans to support sports academies and private training centers, offering youth better training and career development opportunities. Additionally, the government will promote the establishment of quality universities to improve higher education standards. Automobile repair and service centers will be recognized in all development block groups, enhancing access to technical services in rural and semi-urban areas. Tourism is another key focus. The minimum investment threshold for building hotels and resorts in Bastar and Surguja regions has been reduced. This is expected to boost tourism and generate local employment in these tribal and forested areas. The textile sector will receive double the incentives for new investments—up to 200%—which will directly benefit tailors, embroiderers, and weavers across the state. To improve logistics and ease of doing business, a new logistics policy will be introduced, aiming to simplify freight movement and improve market access in all districts. The definition of persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) has been revised to expand their eligibility for state welfare schemes. Special packages have been approved for sectors such as Global Capability Centers, defense and aerospace, as well as private industrial parks. The government will increase infrastructure subsidies and encourage the development of plug-and-play factory models to attract investors. To improve the ease of living, the cabinet approved incentives for setting up private CBSE-affiliated schools with a minimum capacity of 500 students and mini malls with multiplexes in urban areas and nearby rural blocks that currently lack such facilities. The first three units established in these underserved areas will be treated as "thrust sector" projects, receiving special benefits.
Hans India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Heavy investments flowing into State: Minister TG Bharat
Mangalagiri: Industries, Commerce, and Food Processing Minister TG Bharat stated that industrialists are showing great interest in investing in Andhra Pradesh. He participated in a conference with General Managers (GMs) from all districts, held at the APIIC office in Mangalagiri, alongside Commissioner of the Industries Department and APIIC Managing Director Abhishikt Kishore. During the conference, he inquired about details of pending projects in the districts and permissions related to companies planning to invest. Discussions were held on projects approved in the past five State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) meetings. The current status of companies like Arcelor Mittal, BPCL, LG Electronics, TAFE, and Tata Consultancy Services was reviewed. Subsequently, the Industrial Policy and MSME Policy were explained, and concessions to be provided to industrialists were discussed district-wise and industry-wise. Speaking on the occasion, Minister TG Bharat said that since the formation of his government, the state has been attracting significant investments. He emphasized that officials in the districts where industrialists are setting up industries must have full awareness of the developments. The government is encouraging aspiring industrialists, and there should be no issues in granting permissions for establishing industries. He instructed that any field-level challenges should be immediately brought to the attention of senior officials. The minister stressed that officials must play a role in the state's development. The government is giving high priority to both large companies and MSMEs, he noted. He announced that an MSME park is being established in every constituency. Food processing units and handloom textile parks are also being set up, which will attract local investments and create job and employment opportunities. The role of GMs at the district level is crucial in the establishment of industries, he said. Minister TG Bharat directed every official to work responsibly.
