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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
UP, Gujarat to offer new incentives for electronics component makers
Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat are set to unveil additional incentive schemes to complement the Centre's electronics components manufacturing programme, as both states compete to attract investors in the burgeoning sector. The moves come as the two states prepare to host major semiconductor facilities, positioning them as emerging hubs for India's electronics manufacturing ambitions. Gujarat's policy is 'under active consideration and will be announced soon,' according to Mona Khandhar, principal secretary in the state's department of science and technology. However, she declined to reveal specifics, citing the policy's pending approval. Uttar Pradesh's 'electronic component promotion policy' is in its final stages of notification and will combine performance-linked incentives with capital subsidies, people aware of the matter told Hindustan Times. The announcements follow similar initiatives by Assam and Tamil Nadu, reflecting a broader state-level push to capitalise on the Centre's ₹22,919-crore Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS). Notified in early May by the Union IT ministry, the ECMS aims to build a robust ecosystem for passive electronic components such as resistors, capacitors and inductors, targeting both global and domestic investments. Active components like chips and transistors fall under the separate India Semiconductor Mission. Also Read: Govt gearing up for 3rd electronics manufacturing cluster in U.P. Both Gujarat and UP are strategically positioned with upcoming semiconductor projects. The Tata Group's fabrication unit in Gujarat is currently under construction, while the HCL-Foxconn OSAT facility near Jewar's Noida International Airport was announced earlier in May. The semiconductor presence provides a crucial advantage, as Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma explained in a recent interview. The state is pursuing an aggressive top-up scheme to leverage Tata's ecosystem of utilities, services and infrastructure. 'We don't want this ecosystem to serve only semiconductors. It should be leveraged by other sectors too, like electronics component manufacturing,' Sarma told HT.


Time of India
14-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Get a peek into secrets of the Universe at Science City
Ahmedabad: Imagine a sun as tall as a three-storey building with a diameter of 60 feet, surrounded by to-scale latest gallery at , themed on , was inaugurated on Wednesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Visitors will be able to view it from Thursday onwards, said the media, Mona Khandhar, principal secretary (science and technology), said that it is natural for the city to have such a state-of-the-art facility, given the fact that the city was home to the Space Applications Centre (SAC) and the father of the Indian space programme, Dr Vikram Sarabhai. "Here, visitors will be able to see different aspects of space science and interact with several exhibits. One of them allows visitors to create their own planet based on various specifications. It will nurture the new generation of scientists," she said, adding that it highlights India's contribution to astronomy and space gallery is spread across 12,800 sq m and has six primary sections with 47 exhibits. Some of the galleries include the birth of a star, the solar system, space missions, , the history of astronomy in different cultures, and the future of space exploration. There are four atrium-based and six outdoor installations, including a pendulum showing the movement of the said that some of the major attractions include a hybrid dome with a seating capacity of 172, an observatory dome with a 24-inch telescope, and a mechanical orrery with a diameter of 6.5 meters demonstrating planetary motion.


Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Don't share opinions, political views, or unverified news': Gujarat govt issues social media advisory for employees
Looking at the 'rise in cyber threats targeting government infrastructure, including recent phishing campaigns, fake domain websites, and social media impersonation incidents reported across India', the Gujarat government issued an advisory on 'safe and responsible use of social media' for all government employees. The advisory issued by Mona Khandhar, Principal Secretary, Science and Technology, to 'strengthen digital discipline and reduce exposure to cyber risks', says that all government officers and employees are advised to adhere to the 'best practices while using social media platforms'. The advisory states, 'It is critical that government employees remain cautious in their digital activities. Social media, while useful for outreach and awareness, has also become a platform through which sensitive data leaks, misinformation, and impersonation of officials can occur. In such a situation, even small lapses can be exploited to cause significant reputational or operational harm.' Listing the best practices, it states, 'Do not post or share official documents, photos of internal meetings, workspaces, or identity cards, avoid clicking on unknown or suspicious links, documents and QR codes received on social media and mail, use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts, avoid connecting your official government email ID to personal or third-party apps.' The employees have also been advised to undertake a responsible online behaviour, which under the order states, 'Do not share opinions, political views, or unverified news that may affect the neutrality or image of the government, be cautious before forwarding content in WhatsApp groups or other platforms – verify before sharing, always maintain a professional and decorum in all online interactions, do not create or manage pages or groups using government department names, emblems, or logos without proper approval, avoid sharing videos or images from within government premises or meetings unless officially permitted, refrain from impersonating government authorities or using designations for personal influence.' Further, the employees have been asked to promote only verified information related to government schemes or services, report fake profiles, suspicious content, or social media misuse to the cyber security team. The employees, according to the advisory, have been asked not to share details about security forces, their movements, or government operations, 'do not forward unverified or sensational news, even if received in internal groups, immediately report any suspicious or phishing emails to the official addresses socgovteam@ coreteam@ and obssecurity@


Time of India
09-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UP, Gujarat rush to take part(s) in electronics race
Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat are working on incentive schemes to woo large-scale electronic component manufacturers to establish factories in their states. They join a race among several states—Tamil Nadu was among the first off the blocks--to attract investments after the Centre unveiled a Rs 23,000 crore package aimed at encouraging component manufacturers to invest in the country and strengthen its manufacturing Tamil Nadu programme unveiled last week aims to match the sops offered under the Centre's recently announced Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS).Gujarat is emerging as a hub for electronics and semiconductors with chip manufacturing and assembly plants by the likes of Micron, CG Power and Tata Electronics in various phases of development in locations such as Dholera and Sanand. 'We have submitted a draft policy for incentivising electronic component manufacturing in Gujarat for final consideration,' said Mona Khandhar, Gujarat's principal secretary, science and technology. 'Finer details can be divulged only once the state government approves the policy.' Uttar Pradesh is also chalking out a plan to capitalise on the advantage that it has in the space with Noida being an important upcoming hub for electronics manufacturing . The state 'is working on a draft of the policy which should come out in a few weeks,' said a person aware of the development. 'As it is in the drafting stage, more specifics cannot be provided at the moment.' Karnataka already includes electronic component manufacturing as a key element of its existing Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) policy. 'We might make some tweaks and additions to the policy in light of the latest developments but it is a competitive policy as it stands,' said Gunjan Krishna, Karnataka commissioner for industrial development. 'The subject matter gets covered even by the new industrial policy.' Several other states are studying the landscape and contemplating their own policies. 'Following Tamil Nadu's swift rollout of ECMS-specific support, a competitive momentum has emerged among states to boost electronics manufacturing within their borders,' said Ashok Chandak, president of the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA). 'In addition to early movers like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh, states such as Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Haryana are also actively positioning themselves to attract investments and secure a place in India's expanding electronics value chain.' amil Nadu, already strong in electronics manufacturing, has set the benchmark with its policy. It announced matching grants under the Tamil Nadu Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme on April 30 for those that qualify under the ECMS. 'Tamil Nadu coming out with such a policy really puts pressure on the rest of us because they have a thriving ecosystem that they offer such players already,' said an official from a neighbouring state. 'Our coffers do not allow us to give incentives like this so we will have to work doubly hard to get people to invest in our state.' The Centre expects its policy to attract investment of Rs 59,350 crore, result in production of Rs 4,56,500 crore and generate additional direct employment of 91,600 persons and many indirect jobs during its tenure. This six-year scheme will support the successful smartphone production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme by allowing higher value addition and also back a similar programme for semiconductors. India's value addition in electronics manufacturing is currently about 20%. The aim is to double this in the next five years and be at par with global leaders.


Time of India
09-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UP, Gujarat rush to take part(s) in electronics race
Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat are working on incentive schemes to woo large-scale electronic component manufacturers to establish factories in their states. They join a race among several states—Tamil Nadu was among the first off the blocks--to attract investments after the Centre unveiled a Rs 23,000 crore package aimed at encouraging component manufacturers to invest in the country and strengthen its manufacturing ecosystem. #Operation Sindoor Live Updates| From Sindoor to showdown? Track Indo-Pak conflict as it unfolds India hits Lahore's Air Defence Radars in proportionate response Pakistan tried to hit military targets in these 15 Indian cities, New Delhi thwarts strikes The Tamil Nadu programme unveiled last week aims to match the sops offered under the Centre's recently announced Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS). Gujarat is emerging as a hub for electronics and semiconductors with chip manufacturing and assembly plants by the likes of Micron , CG Power and Tata Electronics in various phases of development in locations such as Dholera and Sanand. 'We have submitted a draft policy for incentivising electronic component manufacturing in Gujarat for final consideration,' said Mona Khandhar, Gujarat's principal secretary, science and technology. 'Finer details can be divulged only once the state government approves the policy.' ETtech Uttar Pradesh is also chalking out a plan to capitalise on the advantage that it has in the space with Noida being an important upcoming hub for electronics manufacturing . Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories The state 'is working on a draft of the policy which should come out in a few weeks,' said a person aware of the development. 'As it is in the drafting stage, more specifics cannot be provided at the moment.' Karnataka already includes electronic component manufacturing as a key element of its existing Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) policy. 'We might make some tweaks and additions to the policy in light of the latest developments but it is a competitive policy as it stands,' said Gunjan Krishna, Karnataka commissioner for industrial development. 'The subject matter gets covered even by the new industrial policy.' Several other states are studying the landscape and contemplating their own policies. 'Following Tamil Nadu's swift rollout of ECMS-specific support, a competitive momentum has emerged among states to boost electronics manufacturing within their borders,' said Ashok Chandak, president of the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA). 'In addition to early movers like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh, states such as Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Haryana are also actively positioning themselves to attract investments and secure a place in India's expanding electronics value chain.' amil Nadu, already strong in electronics manufacturing, has set the benchmark with its policy. It announced matching grants under the Tamil Nadu Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme on April 30 for those that qualify under the ECMS. 'Tamil Nadu coming out with such a policy really puts pressure on the rest of us because they have a thriving ecosystem that they offer such players already,' said an official from a neighbouring state. 'Our coffers do not allow us to give incentives like this so we will have to work doubly hard to get people to invest in our state.' The Centre expects its policy to attract investment of Rs 59,350 crore, result in production of Rs 4,56,500 crore and generate additional direct employment of 91,600 persons and many indirect jobs during its tenure. This six-year scheme will support the successful smartphone production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme by allowing higher value addition and also back a similar programme for semiconductors. India's value addition in electronics manufacturing is currently about 20%. The aim is to double this in the next five years and be at par with global leaders.