The Security Promotions Group of India (SPGI) in a mega event in New Delhi sought to inform the security industry on the crucial issue of Preferential Market Access for the local manufacturers in the security surveillance domain. The purpose of the event held at India Habitat Centre was to unleash the new amendment on PMA policy on the purchase of CCTV camera and sensor based alarm systems. Mr Sanjeev Sehgal of SPGI clarified that the SPGI had been deeply involved with the government in seeking to assess whether the PMA in electronic industry also referred to the electronic surveillance industry.
PMA refers to a system via which local manufacturers would get preferential treatment if government was to purchase electronic equipment for its departments. Only the Defence ministry is exempted from this government notification. Mr Sehgal said that following the active role of the SPGI wherein communication was set up between the SPGI and the government on clarifications, the government had clarified that CCTV, Video Cameras & Sensor based alarming systems can form part of the Security & Surveillance communication and should get covered under the Telecom equipment description listed in the notification.
The government had listed domestically manufactured electronic products for PMA under 23 heads and the reference to Security and Surveillance Communication Systems was specified under heading number 22.
Mr Sehgal said that, as per the amendment, domestically manufactured CCTV cameras and alarm systems have to be provided 100 percent preferences in all government purchases. Mr Sehgal said that the implication of this was that the industry would start moving to domestic manufacturing which would get a major fillip. He said even international manufacturers could make India into a hub of manufacturing, effectively giving support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “ Make In India” campaign. He also said that this would also give rise to more customization of products for different sectors as per requirement. Another notable development would be effective after sales support which was always a major problem in the sector.
Mr Sehgal said that SPGI was in the process of getting further clarifications to ensure that the industry was completely aware of the hidden meanings in the government notification.
Dr RK Panigrahi, Director MSME, also addressed the gathering on Public Procurement Policy for Micro and small enterprises and how the security industry can take benefits of the policy. He said that there were several policy specifics that were available for small enterprises and which could help them in establishing businesses.
There was also a discussion initiated on the activities of Electronic Sector Skill Council of India (ESSCI) by Dr NK Mohapatra, CEO of ESSCI.
SPGI has been working closely with the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) to keep the industry updated on formation of new policies related to incentives declared by vario0us departments under the government of India.
