Govt to unveil New Industrial Policy Soon

The government will shortly unveil a new industrial policy that aims to speed up regulatory reforms and lower power tariffs to make businesses more competitive and create more jobs, senior officials said. The policy, being given final touches by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), will be presented to Cabinet for approval in the next two weeks, they said.

The proposals include establishing an overarching body with representation by the Centre and the states similar to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council to enable swift decisions on key changes such as the revamp of labour laws, taxation provisions and land leasing.

Crucially, India’s industrial sector has a 29% share in GDP at current prices, well below 44% for China. The reform is being pitched as potentially the biggest overhaul of industrial policy in about 30 years and will come just ahead of national elections next year.

The policy proposes a direct benefit transfer (DBT) for electricity for households and agriculture, which will result in lower tariffs for industry.