Government of India's on-going thrust on climate change through emissions reduction have been further embedded in the Union Budget with a slew of fiscal incentives and budgetary support for green measures.
The National Solar Mission, with an ambitious target of achieving 20,000 MW capacity by 2022, will be operationalised this year with the ministry of new and renewable energy's budgetary support being increased by 61% from Rs 617 crore (approx. $135 ml) to Rs 998 crore (approx. $215 ml). The ministry will utilise this fund for installing 200 MW grid power and 32 MW off-grid solar power in the next financial year.
The Finance Minister has recognised the strong potential of the electronics industry and its role in energy generation. In this regard, the announcement of concessional customs duty of 5 percent on machinery, equipment etc. for setting up photovoltaic and solar thermal power generating units is a laudabele step. These equipment will also be exempt from central excise duties. Excise will also be reduced from 8% to 4% on LED lights.
A unique solar-powered rickshaw developed by CSIR will attract a mere 4% excise duty and its components will be exempt from customs duty.
A National Clean Energy Fund is to be set up to fund research and innovative projects in clean energy technologies. The fund will be fed by an energy cess of Rs 50 on every tonne of coal produced.
David Crimp is a 25-year industry veteran (with a four year gap, as he likes to point out) and executive vice president, Europe, for Cookson Electronic Materials.
NMTronics – The leader in SMT installations in India, has installed and supporting over 1500 FUJI pick & place machines since 1999, having close to 65 % market share.
Growth accelerated in the first four months of 2010 as SE Asia led the electronics recovery and all regions followed. The global purchasing managers’ index reached a high in April, and electronic equipment growth is now positive for all geographic regions.
