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Journalism of Courage
An inter-ministerial meeting on Thursday underscored the urgency for providing a level playing field to the domestic power equipment industry facing the onslaught of cheaper Chinese imports but it failed to agree over how much duty should be imposed on imported equipment.
The meeting was called by heavy industries and public enterprises minister Praful Patel and attended by senior officials from the power,commerce and planning commission. Representatives of domestic power equipment manufacturers like Bhel and L&T were also present in the meeting.
Yes,a consensus has been reached and we are fully supportive of the recommendations of the planning commission. Now,we will have inter ministerial discussions before we come out with a final decision on it, Praful Patel said while briefing reporters.
Sources said domestic manufacturers argued during the meeting that now that there is enough manufacturing capacity in the country. Hence,the government should impose duty on imported power equipment. They also pushed for making mandatory the central electricity authoritys performance standards for power equipment. L&T chairman AM Naik led the charge for the domestic industry. Private players like L&T,Bharat Forge,JSW,Thermax and BGR Energy are in the process of setting up power equipment manufacturing facilities to benefit from the governments policy.
Meanwhile,Bhel is also expanding its manufacturing capacity from 15,000 mw to 20,000 mw a year.
