As govt mulls easing norms for local telecom gear makers, GX Group flags import surge risk
New Delhi, Relaxation in value-addition norms for domestically-manufactured telecom equipment without proper guardrails may enhance risk of imports from non-trusted sources, a top official of GX Group has said.
The Department of Telecom has started a review of local value-addition norms in telecom equipment following reports that manufacturers are facing a challenge in achieving 50-60 per cent local content in electronic and telecom products due to limited component ecosystem in the country.
The move comes at a time when the government has rolled out a ₹ 23,000-crore electronics component manufacturing scheme to enhance local value addition in domestically manufactured electronic products.
"The consideration of a review to local content norms is a welcome move, however, relaxations need to come with caution on specific components.
"Reducing value addition without utmost caution can enhance risk of increase in imports from non-trusted nations," GX Group CEO Paritosh Prajapati told PTI.
GX Group is a beneficiary under the telecom sector's production linked incentive scheme.
The company has its manufacturing facility in Manesar and a research and development centre in Chennai.
"The security-sensitive telecom equipment segment is already being infested from imported products, which is mitigating growth of indigenous production under telecom PLI scheme," Prajapati said.
The DoT on June 3 invited comments on the review of the Public Procurement from industry bodies -VoICE, TEMA, ICEA, COAI and MAIT, original equipment makers Tejas, VVDN, HFCL, Nokia, Ericsson and CISCO.
It has also invited comments from electronics manufacturing services companies Dixon, Syrma, Neolync and Jabil as well as public sector firms like BSNL and TCIL.
The DoT has given 30 days for stakeholders to submit their comments.
Prajapati said that GX Group and other industry stakeholders have been completely focused on indigenisation mandates and have built a robust local manufacturing ecosystem along with local R&D and IP rights in the past few years.
He said that given the Indian component space is still growing somewhat, relaxations of the norms may bring in some relief to the industry for specific components only to ensure that Indian players become more competitive.
"Foreign companies coming in to cater to the diverse Indian market should also invest in R&D within the country and make efforts to maximise local production of required components and sub-components," Prajapati said.
He said that there are instances wherein global players expand into the market but rely on assembling of products rather than creating products and adding value, in a way not investing in the local economy but only ready to cater to the market demand and enhance revenues.
"Relaxation in value addition norms should be accompanied with conditions like technology transfer, timeline for capacity development in India, phase-wise manufacturing programme, etc," Prajapati said.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Bengaluru's hotel kitchens turn to machines for south Indian fare
Bengaluru: From soft idlis to crispy vadas, south Indian cuisine has always hinged on precision and a practised hand. But as the appetite for south Indian fare surges and skilled cooks grow scarce, Bengaluru's hotel kitchens are quietly adapting — by bringing machines into the masala. The city's hospitality sector is already seeing machines roll out vadas and stir up steaming pots of pongal. Yet, industry veterans say, full automation remains out of reach — especially for food steeped in regional heritage and family recipes passed down over generations. "South Indian cooks are particularly hard to find," PC Rao, honorary president of the Bangalore Hotels Association (BHA), said recently at the launch of the Media Day Marketing trade expo where equipment firms showcased new tools for the hospitality sector. "We have vada-making machines and pongal systems, but someone still needs to measure and feed the ingredients. It's not yet 100% mechanised," Rao said. Demand for bulk-catering solutions is driving part of this change and BHA president Subrahmanya Holla said machines are helpful where quantity matters. "We use pongal machines in large setups. Vada-making too is easier when it is automated. But not everything can be handed over to the machine. In a Mysore Pak production line we visited recently, there was still the need for a human hand to pour ghee and sugar at the right moment," Holla said. At Konark Hotel, one of Bengaluru's long-standing establishments, owner K Rama Murthy has implemented high-tech combi-ovens that use steam and dry heat to prepare dishes like bisibele bath, pongal, and pulao. "We can even roast masalas in it. But for shallow-frying, or making sambar and masala dosa, the machine has its limits," he said. Murthy, with over four decades in the industry, pointed to the difficulty in fully codifying south Indian culinary knowledge. "It's generational wisdom. You can't just put it in a syllabus," he said, adding that Indian food is typically made-to-order, unlike standardised continental or fast-food options. Some kitchens are also experimenting with advanced food technology such as freeze-drying or vacuum-packing to extend shelf life and preserve nutrition, but such methods remain costly. Impact on hospitality edu Meanwhile, hospitality schools are recalibrating their curriculum. At IIHM Bengaluru, students are now being trained on artificial intelligence-driven systems. "AI is streamlining kitchen operations — from menu planning to stock-taking," said Sanchari Chowdhury, the institute's director. "In fact, a Japanese restaurant here uses technology to remember diners' preferences—where they sit, what they order," Chowdhury, who believes Bengaluru's tech-savvy mindset gives it an edge, Sanchari said. She, however, added: "We have already replaced key cards with mobile check-ins. But even as roles evolve, the warm human presence is still crucial in hospitality."
Hindustan Times
44 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Elon Musk launches Tesla robotaxi in Austin: Here's how rides are priced
Tesla's long-hyped robotaxi was launched on Sunday afternoon, as per CEO Elon Musk who announced the rollout on his platform X (formerly Twitter). The first rides, priced at a flat $4.20 are now being offered in parts of Austin using driverless Tesla Model Y vehicles, stated a Reuters report. Several Tesla robotaxis were spotted Sunday morning navigating South Congress, a bustling neighborhood in the Texas capital, with no driver behind the wheel. A vehicle Tesla is using for robotaxi testing purposes on Oltorf Street in Austin(Bloomberg) Several social media users posted videos of robotaxis and noted that a single person was seated in the passenger seat, acting as a 'safety monitor'. The electric vehicle maker has not issued an official statement or provided details on the scope of the Tesla robotaxi launch, but a small group of influencers were invited to participate in a closely monitored pilot featuring 10-20 vehicles operating within a geofenced zone of Austin. Also read: Indian CEO slams Tesla for returning $1,000 fee: 'Elon Musk, do you know...' Texas lawmakers move to regulate autonomous vehicles The launch came days after Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a new legislation requiring autonomous vehicle operators to obtain a state permit. Though the law does not go into effect until September 1, it signals a shift from Texas' previously hands-off approach to autonomous driving regulation. The law mandated operators like Tesla to attest to the safety of their AVs, provide emergency protocols for police and first responders, and comply with Level 4 autonomy standards, which means vehicles can drive themselves within specific conditions sans human intervention. Tesla deviating from norms by not relying on lidar/radar The Reuters report stated that Tesla was bucking industry norms by relying exclusively on cameras, without lidar or radar. Additionally, Musk has long argued that relying on cameras make Tesla's system both safer and more scalable, though critics have cited safety risks and past delays as cause for concern. Musk has spoken about self-driving cars over the years and now he is promising that safety will be a top priority as they roll out Tesla robotaxis in Austin. These cars will steer clear of bad weather, tricky intersections, and underage riders, and will only drive in areas where they are certain everything is safe, Musk said. The launch of Tesla's robotaxi is a big step for the company's future plans. Analysts think a lot of Tesla's long-term worth is dependent on how well they can commercialize their robotaxis and AI technologies, like humanoid robots. However, it is not all smooth sailing. Tesla's rival Cruise, owned by GM, recently had to suspend its operations following an accident, and both Waymo (Alphabet) and Zoox (Amazon) are operating under heavy regulatory watch. Tesla's unique approach, relying purely on cameras, sets it apart from the competition, but it also brings its own set of safety and liability issues. FAQs Q: Is Tesla launching robotaxis in Austin today? Yes, Elon Musk announced that Tesla has begun offering limited robotaxi rides in Austin as of Sunday afternoon. Q: How much do Tesla robotaxi rides cost? Tesla is offering the initial rides at a flat rate of $4.20. Q: Are the Tesla robotaxis fully driverless? Yes, the vehicles operate without a driver but currently have a front-seat 'safety monitor' during this pilot phase. Q: What level of autonomy do these vehicles have? Tesla's robotaxis are classified as Level 4 autonomous, meaning they can drive themselves under specific conditions without human input.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Oil supply chain stable, says minister Hardeep Puri
NEW DELHI: India's oil supply chain remains stable as a result of diversification in the last few years, oil minister Hardeep Puri said on Sunday. . "...We have diversified our supplies in the past few years and a large volume of our supplies do not come through the Strait of Hormuz now," he said in a post on X. Data from Kpler showed Indian refiners pivoting away from West Asia since outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Iran stoked fears of Hormuz closure. In June, for example, oil imports from Russia and the US outpaced combined volumes of from traditional West Asia suppliers like Iraq and Saudi Arabia. India imports oil from 13 countries. India does not buy any oil from Iran. Hormuz is crucial for India as 40% of oil imports still passes through this waterway between Iran and Oman. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
