Industrialists seek govt support to go green
Piyush Goyal
. Led by Pankaj Sharma, president, Association of Trade & Industrial Undertakings, the delegation raised several concerns related to bicycle, bicycle parts, and e-rickshaw manufacturing industries.
Sharma drew the minister's attention to the mounting difficulties being faced by these industries as they attempt to shift towards cleaner technologies such as e-bikes and e-rickshaws. He said that while the sector is ready for the transition, the pace has been slow due to lack of timely government support, incentives, and institutional handholding. This delay, he pointed out, is not only hindering growth but also putting small and medium enterprises at risk of obsolescence.
Calling for stronger government intervention, Sharma urged the minister to revive key financial and modernisation schemes that had previously benefited the MSME sector. These include Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS), and the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS). He said that bringing these schemes back, with necessary modifications to meet the sector's current needs, would empower small manufacturers and give them the confidence to invest in new technologies and production lines.
Sharma also demanded installation of high-end machinery for inspection and testing of auto components, which is essential for enhancing global competitiveness.
Minister Piyush Goyal assured the delegation that the government was fully committed to strengthening India's MSMEs and supporting the light engineering sector, especially in its transition towards cleaner technologies like e-bikes and e-rickshaws. He said that the government would ensure that the necessary infrastructure, testing facilities, and financial assistance were made available to help these industries grow and compete globally.
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