New Delhi: The preferential market access (PMA) policy, which mandates sourcing of sensitive telecom and electronic equipments and technology from domestic equipment makers is in advanced stages, a top official from Department of Electronics and IT (DEITY) said on Friday.
"DEITY's proposal on PMA for domestic manufacturers is in very advanced stages and we will soon send it for government's approval," DEITY Secretary J Satyanarayana told reporters on the sidelines on an event here.
Government has already issued notification under PMA policy for government procurement.
The one concerning private sector procurements is going through inter-ministerial consultations and the discussion on it is in advanced stages.
After it is completed, it will be put before government for its nod.
The PMA policy makes it mandatory for the government to procure a certain percentage of its requirements from domestic manufacturers.
On government efforts to set up an electronic development fund, Satyanarayana said: "We will be doing it soon enough. Earlier we were thinking of creating a fund of Rs 10,000 crore, but due to resource constraints it could be about Rs 2,000 crore."
DEITY intends to set up the fund to promote research and development activities in the IT sector.
It is aimed at enhancing availability of skilled manpower -- in scale and scope -- including in emerging technology areas, through active participation of the private sector.
Under the National Electronic Policy, the government seeks to create an eco system for a globally competitive ESDM (Electronic System and Design and Manufacturing) sector in the country to achieve a turnover of about USD 400 billion by 2020, involving investment of about USD 100 billion and providing employment to around 28 million people at various levels.
