The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) initiated the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme on February 24, 2021, with an outlay of Rs 12,195 crore to enhance domestic manufacturing of telecom and networking products in India, as per release.
The release further stated that "As of January 31, beneficiaries have invested Rs 4,081 crore, generating total sales of Rs 78,672 crore, which includes export sales worth Rs 14,963 core. Additionally, it has generated employment for 26,351 individuals."
The guidelines of the scheme have been amended to facilitate domestic manufacturing and flexibility. To support design-led manufacturing, an additional 1% sales incentive has been provided to products designed, developed, and manufactured in India.
The amendments include an additional 11 products in the approved list in line with the industry's demand. The companies can add one or more products to an existing claim from the approved list at any time during the term of the scheme. Companies can also claim incentives for one or more products 'quarterly' during the term of the scheme.
The total products approved under the PLI outlay are 33 telecom and networking products, which are eligible for the incentive, as stated in the release. This was stated by Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications And Rural Development, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on March 20.