New Delhi, July 30th, 2020
TEMA welcomes the Govt. Ban on 47 Chinese apps in addition to 59 already banned and supports the Compulsory registration of bidders under GFR from Border Countries for all procurements by Govt./GEM/PSUs vide MOF DOE Order dated the 23rd July 2020.
TEMA appreciates various initiatives of the Govt. for ensuring that domestic firms become competitive on both price & quality. Govt.’s action of stopping the automatic FDI route for Chinese and other Companies from Border Countries is helping in upholding India’s economic sovereignty. Separately the mandatory testing has also been legalized for telecom products by Amendment to Telegraph Rules.
Further, The Department of Expenditure (DOE) invoked powers under Article 257(1) for the first time and asked the State Governments to comply. This ensured that all tenders announced but not opened, where technical bids are evaluated or yet to be evaluated but not finalized would be subject to these orders. Also, an explicit model text of clauses has been introduced for all new tenders. This would necessitate the existing Chinese manufacturers to seek compulsory registration if they want to sell products on GEM. This order will apply to all mobile handset manufacturers like OPPO, Viva, Xiaomi etc. who are assembling/manufacturing/operating in India under 100% FDI route.
Shri Ravi Sharma, Chairman TEMA said “Banning of Chinese apps is a welcome step. We now request the Govt. to make PPP MII – Public Procurement Preference to Make In India – applicable to the Private Sector also including all telecom operators. The responsibility of encouraging Make in India lies with the private sector too. The Countrywide PPP MII will create strong foundation for “Make In India” brand to fulfil the mission of our Hon’ble Prime Minister in achieving Aatmnirbhar Bharat in Telecom manufacturing.”
Shri Sandeep Aggarwal, Vice Chairman TEMA said “Glad that Govt. is moving fast to secure our international border and data privacy. It is high time that Govt. also announce ban of remaining Chinese apps”
TEMA demands that PPP MII orders should also be made applicable to all private sector purchases including telecom operators. This initiative coupled with a strong innovation ecosystem will definitely make India self-reliant in Telecom manufacturing.
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TEMA – Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Association of India is India’s first and oldest association in Indian Telecom Sector. Established in 1990, TEMA has always advocated and stressed the need for strengthening the domestic manufacturing of telecom equipment in India so as not only to become self-reliant but also export. Working closely with the Government on growth and indigenization of the Electronics/Telecom Sector, TEMA is the first one in bringing focus on the associated security risks due to continuous dependence on imported network equipment and components for the telecom networks in India. To promote and develop the “Make in India” brand globally, TEMA also promoted an international body CMAI for International cooperation and policy dialogue. With 48,500 members and MOUs with 74 International Organizations, CMAI is now the largest ICT association in Asia for global cooperation and policy dialogue not only in the sector of Telecom but also in all associated sectors such as ICT, Education, Cyber Security, Skill development , Innovation and Start Up ecosystem .
