Want Modi Govt Nod for Over Rs 500-Cr Tech Procurement? Fill 3-Part Self-Appraisal Form First

Will buying expensive technology affect import substitution? Is it the latest in terms of global benchmarking? Will Indian start-ups finally move towards it, and when will it become obsolete? Narendra Modi’s government has come up with a new three-part “self-assessment” form for all central ministries that require such details to be provided before any proposal for technology purchases worth more than Rs 500 crore is considered by the Union Cabinet.

The idea is that the Enabled Technology Group (ETG) set up in 2020 should get a comprehensive picture of each such proposal before approving it, and should then put the same before the Federal Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister.

All Cabinet Notes already contain a separate paragraph on the “technological implications” of each proposal. The new form goes further, asking for detailed information on how tech purchases worth more than Rs 500 crore can help.

The three sections of the form

Divided into three sections, “Part A” of the form asks ministries to define the “impact” of the proposal in terms of “import substitution, domestic manufacturing and export promotion”. This is in line with the government’s “Atmanirbar Bharat” (self-reliance) plan.

Part A also asks if there is a skilled workforce for the proposal and about the capacity building component.

Part B of the form asks ministries to determine the availability of said technology or its subsystems in India, if there is local content in the technology in terms of cost and components, and if significant technologies are being imported. “Is there technology transfer involved? If yes, is there availability of material supply chain and production capabilities in the country, and participation of industry and start-ups,” the model asks.

The global measurement of said technology in terms of being the latest in the field and its estimated obsolescence date is also requested in the form.

Part C of the form also asks about technology commercialization plans for developed technologies or products and the participation of individual academics and innovators in the exercise.

Is ETG being overtaken?

The ETG is chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser with the Chairs of the Atomic Energy Commission, the Space Commission, and DRDO as members, along with the Trustees of MeITY, Communications, Science, and Technology.

The ETG is backed by 20 prominent members from academia and industry.

The center noted in a letter earlier this month that despite clear instructions earlier, some ministries had not referred Cabinet proposals with substantial “technological implications” to the ETG.

News18 has a copy of the letter mentioned. “It has been decided that in order to facilitate the process of ETG consultations, ministries/departments should henceforth submit proposals to the ETG in the preliminary form, attached in the appendix. Ministries/departments are required to ensure compliance with these Instructions.