Page 311 - economic_survey_2021-2022

Industry and Infrastructure 285

8.32 Recently, the government has approved an outlay of Rs. 76,000Crore (>US$ 10
Bn) for the development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem.
Government’s intervention to boost this industry has come at a time when the global
economy is facing an acute shortage of semiconductors due to severe disruptions in
supply chains. Several companies from diverse industries have been forced to either
shut or curtail production in response to breakdown of supply chains. The PLI and other
schemes to boost semiconductors will not only help domestic companies to overcome
the challenges posed by COVID 19 but also assist them to become globally competitive
especially in chip making. Semiconductors are integral part of modern technology used
in automobiles and its components, electronic and medical devices. The comprehensive
interventions being introduced by the government will aid in the establishment of an
ecosystem that boosts semiconductor production in India.

Box 2: PARAKH - A Unified Laboratory Network

Recognizing that testing and certification are crucial for enhancing the competitiveness of Indian
goods and services, a portal called “PARAKH” has been set up in June 2021, wherein all the
accredited, certified and recognised laboratories in the country would be mapped on a Geographic
Information System (GIS). This united laboratory network has been developed with the support of
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), Bhaskaracharya National Institute
of Space Applications and Geo Informatics, Gujarat (BISAG) and the concerned line ministries/
departments of the Government of India. Over 6,580 laboratories have already been mapped on
the portal including NABL accredited laboratories. These also include 477 BIS empaneled and
recognized laboratories. Laboratories recognized by FSSAI, EIC, APEDA and CSIR have also
been mapped on the portal. The portal makes it possible to search labs for a particular product,
standard, test method in a state or a city and also find nearby labs. It also enables finding the
scope of accreditation and test methods of a laboratory. The portal allows for adding new private
laboratories and booking a test through it.

Box 3: Production Linked Incentives Schemes

PLI Schemes launched in March 2020, are a cornerstone of the Government’s push for achieving an
AtmaNirbhar Bharat. The idea is to provide support to the sectors, regain dominance in global trade and
be more prepared for the volatilities and shocks in global supply chains as opposed to the protectionist
approach of the pre-1991 era. The objective of the scheme is to boost domestic manufacturing in
sunrise and strategic sectors, improve cost competitiveness of domestically manufactured goods,
enhance domestic capacity and economies of scale. The scheme is specifically designed to attract
investments in sectors of core competency and cutting-edge technology. The selection of sectors has
been done based on the sectors’ abilities to introduce latest technology, generate direct and indirect
employment by reaching global scales while increasing competitiveness to ensure penetration of
Indian companies in the global value chains.