National mfg policy by autumn, says Sharma

The National Manufacturing Policy (NAP), which aims to make India the workshop of the world, would be released by autumn, announced Commerce Minister Anand Sharma. He told Business Standard on Thursday, at the sidelines of a business seminar to launch the CEOs Forum of India and South Africa, that his ministry expected to complete three sessions with states and industry by July, before taking policy for the approval of the Cabinet. “I am of the view that the NAP will be in place by autumn this year. The objective is also to increase the share of the manufacturing sector to 25 per cent from the present level of 15 per cent,” he added.

Sharma mentioned that the draft policy, currently circulated for seeking suggestions and objections, proposes the development of manufacturing and investment zones in various states. He informed that these zones have been planned in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. “States need to do zoning of industrial lands which is quite important for the development of manufacturing and investment zones. States will have to be proactive, as the zoning of industrial lands will enable the development of integrated townships which will not only attract investments but also create more jobs,” he noted.

The manufacturing and investment zones would not necessarily focus on exports unlike SEZs. These zones would not exempt the members from paying income taxes.