The Indian Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Association (TEMA) today in a communication to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, asked for a level playing field for the home-grown gear makers.
According to the communication sent to the Prime Minister Office, TEMA highlighted the lack of implementation strategy on part of the UPA Government.
“We are not asking anything out of context from the Prime Minister or which is outside the National Telecom Policies of 1994 or 1999 or the recommendations made in the draft Policy 2011. We are seeking his and the UPA Government's honest support in reaching the milestones mentioned in these policy papers and also the statements made by the Prime Minister at various times by adopting transparent and logical methodology which does not negate the Indian telecom story in any way,” said Mr Ashok K. Aggarwal, Honorary Director General, Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Association.
TEMA has suggested the adoption of six points, including setting up a Nodal Expert Council for monitoring the implementation of NTP2011; preferential treatment to be mandated for Indian products; introduction of R&D cess on all telecom operators; incentives for service providers for meeting targets of purchasing Indian products; compliance to national standards and certification of all telecom equipment by TEC before induction into the network and remodelling of the tax structure so as to dispense with the financial disadvantage for home-grown telecom equipment manufacturer.