DIPP urges govt to remove 3 year lock-in period for FDI in education infrastructure

11 Jul 2011 Evaluate

The foreign investment in education sector may become easier if government approves the suggestion of the Department of Industrial Policy and Planning (DIPP) under the ministry of commerce and industry. The DIPP has recommended the government to remove the three year lock-in period for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in construction if it is for creation of education infrastructure.

Foreign investment up to 100% is permitted in the construction sector, but is subject to stringent conditions that include a three year lock-in, minimum capitalization of $5 million for joint ventures and $10 million for wholly-owned subsidiary and development of at least 10 hectares of land. The FDI policy does not make a difference on the basis of end use of the constructed asset. However, FDI policy has allowed 100% FDI in education sector since 2000.

The DIPP has circulated its recommendation to concerned ministries, seeking their views on the removal these conditions for investment in creating infrastructure for education, a priority sector for the government.  Under the public private partnership route the government has already decided to offer viability gap funding for education projects. This recommendation of DIPP would make investment in country’s education sector more attractive for foreign investors. Experts have welcomed the proposal of DIPP and they have the opinion, this proposal would attract foreign investors who have not been interested in investing in India’s education sector because of the strict conditions. 

From April 2000, more than $9 billion foreign investment has come into the construction sector however a major portion of this investment has gone for creation of roads and highways. The DIPP has also asked to relax the norms for construction sector in order to increase the inflow of funds. Since 2009-10 India has experienced decrease in FDI inflow, during 2009-10 it reduced by 5% and during 2010-11 inflow reduced by 25%.

However, DIPP has found stiff resistance from the Reserve Bank and the finance ministry, both of which cite the buildup of an asset bubble that had led to a huge jump in FDI flows and a price rise even in tier three cities soon after the sector was opened up in 2005. In fact, in 2007, the central bank had proposed that the government allow FDI in the sector only after nod from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board, or FIPB.

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