Industrial Policy

Industrial Policy is the set of standards and measures set by the Government to evaluate the progress of the manufacturing sector that ultimately enhances economic growth and development of the country.

The government takes measures to encourage and improve the competitiveness and capabilities of various firms.

Objectives of Industrial Policy

1. To maintain steady growth in productivity.
2. To create more employment opportunities.
3. Utilize the available human resources better
4. To accelerate the progress of the country through different means
5. To match the level of international standards and competitiveness

This is an important topic for the IAS exam.

Industrial Policy in India

The various industrial policy introduced by the Indian government are as follows:

Industrial Policy Resolution, 1948

• It declared the Indian economy as Mixed Economy
• Small scale and cottage industries were given the importance
• The government restricted foreign investments
• Industries were divided into 4 categories
  • Exclusive monopoly of central government(arms and ammunitions, production of atomic energy and management of railways)
  • New undertaking undertaken only by state(coal, iron and steel, aircraft manufacturing, ship building, telegraph, telephone etc.)
  • Industries to be regulated by the government(Industries of basic importance)
  • Open to private enterprise, individuals and cooperatives(remaining)

Industrial Policy Resolution, 1956 (IPR 1956)

• This policy laid down the basic framework of Industrial Policy
• This policy is also known as the Economic Constitution of India

It is classified into three sectors

• Schedule A – which covers Public Sector (17 Industries)
• Schedule B – covering Mixed Sector (i.e. Public & Private) (12 Industries)
• Schedule C – only Private Industries

This has provisions for Public Sector, Small Scale Industry, Foreign Investment. To meet new challenges, from time to time, it was modified through statements in 1973, 1977, and 1980.

Industrial Policy Statement, 1977

• This policy was an extension of the 1956 policy.
• The main was employment to the poor and reduction in the concentration of wealth.
• This policy majorly focused on Decentralisation
• It gave priority to small scale Industries
• It created a new unit called “Tiny Unit”
• This policy imposed restrictions on Multinational Companies (MNC).

Industrial Policy Statement, 1980

• The Industrial Policy Statement of 1980 addressed the need for promoting competition in the domestic market, modernization, selective Liberalization, and technological up-gradation.
• It liberalised licensing and provided for the automatic expansion of capacity.
• Due to this policy, the MRTP Act (Monopolies Restrictive Trade Practices) and FERA Act (Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973) were introduced.
• The objective was to liberalize the industrial sector to increase industrial productivity and competitiveness of the industrial sector.
• The policy laid the foundation for an increasingly competitive export-based and for encouraging foreign investment in high-technology areas.

Aspirants can refer to the links below for UPSC preparation:

New Industrial Policy, 1991

The New Industrial Policy, 1991 had the main objective of providing facilities to market forces and to increase efficiency.

Larger roles were provided by

• L – Liberalization (Reduction of government control)
• P – Privatization (Increasing the role & scope of the private sector)
• G – Globalisation (Integration of the Indian economy with the world economy)

Because of LPG, old domestic firms have to compete with New Domestic firms, MNC’s and imported items

The government allowed Domestic firms to import better technology to improve efficiency and to have access to better technology. The Foreign Direct Investment ceiling was increased from 40% to 51% in selected sectors.

The maximum FDI limit is 100% in selected sectors like infrastructure sectors. Foreign Investment promotion board was established. It is a single-window FDI clearance agency. The technology transfer agreement was allowed under the automatic route.

Phased Manufacturing Programme was a condition on foreign firms to reduce imported inputs and use domestic inputs, it was abolished in 1991.

Under the Mandatory convertibility clause, while giving loans to firms, part of the loan will/can be converted to equity of the company if the banks want the loan in a specified time. This was also abolished.

Industrial licensing was abolished except for 18 industries.

Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act – Under his MRTP commission was established. MRTP Act was introduced to check monopolies. The MRTP Act was relaxed in 1991.

On the recommendation of the SVS Raghavan committee, Competition Act 2000 was passed. Its objectives were to promote competition by creating an enabling environment.

To know more about the Competition Commission of India, check the linked article.

Review of the Public sector under this New Industrial Policy, 1991 are:

• Public sector investments (Disinvestment of Public sector)
• De-reservations –Industries reserved exclusively for the public sector were reduced
• Professionalization of Management of PSUs
• Sick PSUs to be referred to the Board for Industrial and financial restructuring (BIFR).
• The scope of MoUs was strengthened (MoU is an agreement between a PSU and concerned ministry).

There are some state-wise Industrial policies that would be relevant for UPSC aspirants to understand Industrial Policies better and in-depth.

Way Foward

It is time to replace the 30-year-old Industrial policy and draft a new policy for better strategic engagement with the world. The Government is working on a new industrial policy that would be a road map for all business enterprises in the country.

Candidates can keep themselves updated with the Latest Current Affairs on Industrial policy and other important national and international events by visiting the linked article.

For any further exam updates or study material, candidates can turn to BYJU’S for assistance.