Choose ‘Make in India’ Products: PMO tells PSUs & Govt Departments

New Delhi: While the government is making numerous attempts to advance its domestic manufacturing through Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship 'Make in India' programme, the Prime Minister's Office has requested public sector units and government departments to avoid opting for foreign products and brands.

"Complaints are being received, alleging that government entities are indicating foreign make/ brands and/or restrictive conditions in their tenders, thereby excluding local manufacturers from the bidding process," Nripendra Mishra, principal secretary to the prime minister, wrote in a January 3 letter to all secretaries.

In Order To Include 'Swadeshi'

In order to push local content in government purchases, Mishra added that such specifications violate financial rules and government procurement that were specially amended in May 2017.

"We want a progressive, continuous increase of indigenous components in products procured by us."- Nripendra Mishra

"Our concern is Make in India," Mishra told ET. "We want a progressive, continuous increase of indigenous components in products procured by us."

Departments and ministries were asked to make sure restrictive specifications and standards that effectively exclude local service providers and manufacturers are not part of tenders.

Avoid 'foreign made'

Mishra has asked departments to follow the rules for a second time, having sent a similar letter to the department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP) in the month of December 2017.

"It is very disturbing that the broad message has not been appreciated by various departments. It should be the responsibility at the highest level in each department to ensure that the tender conditions are strictly in sync with the public procurement order and each tender must be examined from the point of view of the interest of Indian manufacturers," Misra wrote on December 10, 2017, to Ramesh Abhishek, secretary, DIPP.

(Story Credit: Includes Inputs from The Economic Times)