Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan has said that the new telecom policy (NTP) will comprise a package to boost domestic manufacturing of equipment to reduce import dependence and create local employment. She said that work on the policy blueprint is expected to start after the meeting of the Telecom Commission -- the highest decision making body for the telecommunications sector. She added that the NTP roadmap will be placed before the inter- ministerial panel. To begin with, she noted that the policy draft will be placed in public domain for wider consultations by December or January.
To reduce dependency on telecom import, Sundararajan said that there is need to encourage local telecom companies to not just make for India but also for overseas markets like Middle East Asia and Africa. She also said that it will have to be enabling environment which can catalyse on make in India and added that they will be strengthening the preferential market access policy. Adding further, she said that the NTP will look at incorporating provisions to encourage incorporating of product designs developed in the country. She mentioned that the government also wants to support growth of international companies who have set-up manufacturing facilities.
Talking about connectivity push under the NTP, Telecom Secretary said that the government will focus on connecting around 40,000 villages and increase availability of regular internet access facility from 30 crore people to 70 crore by 2022. Besides, she noted that the NTP will focus to encourage creation of 2.5-3 lakh jobs in the telecom sector over period of next 5 years. In addition, the Department of Telecom will also hold regional consultations for framing up the new policy and has also created working groups to start consultation process.
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