Apple seeks India labour reform in push to diversify

22 Mar 2023 CW Team

To increase local production, Apple Inc. is requesting revisions to India's labour regulations, and local governments are acceding to the request because they want to take iPhone assembly away from China.

According to persons familiar with the situation, Tamil Nadu, where Foxconn Technology Group, Apple's top supplier, operates the largest iPhone plant in India, is considering adopting new regulations that would allow for more flexibility in factory shifts.

According to the people, who asked not to be identified because the meetings with state government officials were private, executives from Apple and the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association lobby group—which represents the US company as well as its suppliers Foxconn, Pegatron Corp., and Wistron Corp.—met with officials over a six-month period to push for the reforms. According to them, the proposed modifications will equalise local working hours with those at Chinese iPhone factories.

Apple is making the changes as part of its drive to migrate more production away from China and towards nations like India. Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron have increased their operations in India as a result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to promote local manufacturing, financial incentives, and the country's relatively inexpensive workforce.

Infrastructure Urban

13 Mar 2026

Implementation Status of Jal Jeevan Mission

Since August 2019 the Government has implemented Jal Jeevan Mission to provide assured potable water through household tap connections in rural India. At the start of the mission only 32.3 million (mn) rural households, representing 16.7 per cent, were reported to have tap water connections. States and union territories have reported that 125.8 mn additional rural households have since been provided with tap connections. As a result, of about 193.6 mn rural households roughly 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water supply at home.\n\nThe State, district and village level st..

Jal Jeevan Mission Reaches Eighty One Per Cent Rural Coverage

The Government reported substantial progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in August 2019 to provide tap water to every rural household. At launch only 32.3 million (mn) rural households had tap connections and states and Union territories reported provision of 125.8 mn additional households by March 2026. Consequently, out of about 193.6 mn rural households around 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water at home. The Finance Minister announced extension of the mission until 2028 in the 2025-26 budget speech. The Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen, launched in October 20..

Empowering Local Governance for Sustainable Rural Water Supply

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has aligned the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with the 73rd Amendment to strengthen village level planning and community ownership of water supply. Gram Panchayats, village water and sanitation committees and Pani Samitis are to plan, implement, manage and maintain piped water systems, with gram sabha processes formalising handover and oversight. Implementation support agencies including non government organisations, community based organisations and self help groups have been empanelled to train local committees and promote women participation. Under JJM, the department ..