Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, towards a Self Reliant Nation : Fourth Tranche of announcement

Highlights of Phase 4 Stimulus Package announced by Finance minister, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman on 16 May 2020.

These decisions focus on Coal, Minerals Defence Production, Airspace management, Social Infrastructure Projects, Power distribution companies, Space sectors and Atomic Energy.

Decisions made under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan:

  • Coal Sector

Commercial mining is to brought in coal sector , government monopoly is being removed.The mining is to be done on revenue sharing basis and make coal available at market prices. Incentives are to be provided to companies that are interested in coal gasification. This is done to reduce the coal-based pollution.

  • Minerals

A joint auction of bauxite and coal mineral blocks will be introduced to enhance aluminium industries competitiveness and also will reduce aluminium electricity cost. Distinction between Captive and non-captive mines,which will lead to independent development of mining sector in india

  • Defence Production

Make in India for self-reliance in defence production. A timebound defence procurement process and faster decision making by setting up of a Project Management Unit to support contract management. These reforms would help in reducing huge defence import bill.

  • Civil Aviation

Airspace utilisation to be efficient and airspace curbs to be removed for better and effective civilian flying. It will bring a total benefit of Rs. 1000 crores per year for the aviation sector. Construction of world-class airports through PPP route. Efforts to make India a global hub for for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul. Private players to get investment room, the investment in 12 airports expected is around Rs 13,000 crores. Convergence of defence and civil MROs to reduce fly cost.

  • Social Infrastructure

Private sector investment boosted in Social Infrastructure through revamped Viability Gap Funding Scheme of Rs 8100 crores.

  • Power sector

The centre has decided to privatise Power Departments / Utilities in Union
Territories under fourth tranche of ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT.
a)Privatisation of power distribution in union territories will lead to better service to consumers and improvement in operational and financial efficiency in Distribution
b)This will Provide a model for emulation by other Utilities across the country.

  • Space

The government wants the private sector to be a participant in the country’s space journey and the government will provide a level playing field for private companies in satellites, launches and space-based services.
They will be allowed to use ISRO’s facilities and other relevant assets to improve their capabilities. Also the future projects for planetary exploration and outer space travel will be open to the private sector. There will be a liberal geo-spatial data policy for providing remote-sensing data to tech-entrepreneurs.

  • Atomic energy

Government will establish research reactor in PPP mode to produce medical isotopes. This will make the treatment to certain diseases such as cancer affordable.
Also, facilities are to be established to make use of the irradiation technology for food preservation.
Technology-cum-Incubation Centres are to be setup that will foster synergy between research facilities and tech entrepreneurs.