The Ministry of Heavy Industries is implementing the Scheme for Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector Phase II, with a total financial outlay of Rs 12,070 million (mn) and budgetary support of Rs 9,750 mn. The scheme aims to encourage technology development and augment manufacturing infrastructure in the capital goods sector. It supports research, testing and skills development through targeted investments.

So far 29 projects have been sanctioned under the programme with a combined project cost of Rs 8,913.7 mn and sanctioned budgetary support of Rs 7,146.4 mn. A project review and monitoring committee has been constituted for each project to oversee implementation. The ministry intends regular reviews to ensure timely completion and effective utilisation of funds.

Sanctioned centres of excellence include initiatives by the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee in Uttarakhand, augmentation at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and expansion at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, along with facilities at the Automotive Research Association of India in Pune and the Indian Institute of Technology Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi. Tamil Nadu projects include Si’Tarc in Coimbatore and augmentation at AMTDC, Indian Institute of Technology Madras.

Common engineering facility centres and testing and certification facilities have been supported at institutions such as IISc Bengaluru, ARAI Pune and BHEL, with upgrades also planned or under way in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana. Industry accelerators have been set up by ARTPARK at IISc Bengaluru, by CMTI and by academic partners to speed technology translation and industry collaboration.

Qualification packages include development of 23 qualification packs by the Automotive Skills Development Council and further packs by the Capital Goods Sector Skill Council, including specialised packages for higher skill levels. The minister of state for heavy industries provided the information in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, indicating ongoing oversight.